Australia could ban all gambling advertising within three years after a parliamentary inquiry into online gambling recommended a gradual ban in all media.
The House Committee on Social Policy and Legal Inquiry into Online Gambling and its Impact on Problem Gamblers has released the following report: report It outlines 31 recommendations for reforming the Australian gambling sector.
If adopted, these sweeping measures would represent a major transformation of the country’s online gambling regulatory regime.
Among other measures, the commission recommended a blanket ban on all gambling advertising, both in broadcast media and online, “leaving no room for circumvention.”
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the government would consider the commission’s recommendations.
Commission recommended Australia bans gambling ads
The Commission criticized the prevalence of online gambling advertising in the strongest terms possible.
MP Peta Murphy, chairman of the commission, said: “The reason online gambling companies are promoting so much in Australia is because it works.”
“Online gambling has been deliberately and strategically promoted alongside sports, resulting in the normalization of online gambling as a fun, harmless, social activity that is part of the favorite pastime. rice field.
“Gambling ads encourage children and young people to gamble and engage in more risky behavior. I’m letting you do it.”
“One step too far”
In response to reports from industry groups Responsible Wagering Australia (RWA)A group representing the country’s largest gambling operator criticized the prospect of a blanket ban as “going too far”.
In a statement, the lobby group called on the government to take a balanced approach to the commission’s report.
The group’s CEO, Kai Cantwell, said the ad ban recommended by the investigation did not take into account the evidence obtained at the commission’s hearings.
“RWA members, along with broadcasters and major sports organizations, have publicly acknowledged the growing desire to reduce gambling advertising within their communities,” Cantwell said.
“But a blanket ban, even if rolled out in stages, would be short-sighted, ineffective, and not the solution.
“Harder changes, such as blanket bans and bans on solicitations such as bonus wagering, are often ineffective in tackling problem gambling, prompting Australians to seek these options and instead seek out illegal offshore markets. We know that we are looking at
Other actions recommended by the Commission
In addition to the gambling advertising ban, the Commission recommended a series of additional measures that would fundamentally change the online gambling offering in Australia.
Under the commission’s recommendations, regulation and licensing would move to the federal level, but states would retain responsibility for imposing sales taxes on online gambling.
The report also recommended that a single minister be elected to develop a national strategy on reducing the harm of online gambling.
Other measures include the establishment of an online gambling ombudsman, public education campaigns, a harm reduction tax imposed on all online operators, and crackdowns on unlicensed operators.
In May, RWA released a report with H2 Gambling Capital outlining that unlicensed operators could cost Australians A$3.35 billion in tax losses.
The commission also recommended stronger consumer protection requirements for online gambling, new Know Your Customer (KYC) requirements for gaming operators, a ban on solicitation, and a legal duty of care for gambling businesses.
“Weak and Fragmented Regulatory Framework”
“Australians suffer the most from online gambling because of a weak and fragmented regulatory framework, which puts all the responsibility for mitigating harm on gamblers.” said Murphy.
“Even though gambling harm is a serious public health problem, we do not treat it the same. Instead, our policies and regulations encourage ‘responsible gambling’ and Online WSPs are exempt from much liability for harm caused by their products.
In 2022, Australian online gambling operators have collected A$1.6 billion in tax dollars for the government.
A survey by the Australian Institute that year found that 71% of Australians supported a ban on gambling advertising on television.
