The federal government is due to respond to a parliamentary inquiry into online gambling. Last year the inquiry, led by the late Labor MP Peta Murphy, recommended phasing out gambling advertising over three years leading to a total ban. But there are reports the government will stop at a partial ban.
This could take gambling off social media and stop ads from airing within an hour (before and after) sporting matches. How effective would a partial ban be? History shows it may not be enough. Advertising normalises gambling Advertising is one way industries normalise harmful commodities such as gambling.
They also use marketing, such as sponsorships, celebrity endorsements and charitable donations. These same tactics have been employed by alcohol, tobacco and gambling businesses. The effect on young people can be profound.
Numerous studies linked tobacco advertising with young people’s uptake of smoking . Similar research has shown young people exposed to gambling marketing are also more likely to take up gambling and experience harm from it . Most parents are aware of this, which is why so many Australians – at least 70% – oppose gambling advertising.
The inquiry Murphy launched the online gambling inquiry in September 2022. The committee expressed concern about the “increasing reach of online gambling platforms into Australians’ lives”, and especially the impact on children and young people. When the report was published in June 2023, the committee – whose member.