Byron Kay

Australia hits gambling ads, advocates say not doing enough

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  • Australia bans gambling ads featuring celebrities
  • Online advertising is restricted to logged in users 18 years and older
  • Government study in 2023 calls for a complete ban on online gambling advertising

SYDNEY, April 2 (Reuters) – Australia will ban gambling ads featuring celebrities from next year and restrict online gambling ads to internet users over 18, the country said on Tuesday. This is an attempt to allay public health concerns, but it falls short of the measures recommended by independent research.

Almost three years after a government review recommended a complete ban on online gambling advertising due to rising public health costs, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Thursday the government would only allow online advertising to users aged 18 and over who are logged into their accounts.

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Gambling advertisers, who contribute significantly to free-to-air television and sports revenues, are already facing limits on broadcast frequency and time. The sweeping new rules include a cap of three ads per hour between 6 a.m. and 8:30 p.m., and a complete ban on live sports broadcasts during those hours.

The package, which will take effect from 2027, will address problems plaguing Albania’s centre-left government despite having a record parliamentary majority. Court officials have argued that Albanians have been too slow to respond to gambling. Problem gambling cost Australians 34 billion Australian dollars ($23 billion) last year, the highest cost per capita in the world.

Public health experts say the real cost is even higher because losses are often linked to treatment for depression, gambling and alcohol addiction.

“No parent in this country is opting in to show their children gambling ads,” said Tim Costello, chief advocate for the Alliance for Gambling Reform, citing a feature of the new law that requires internet users to opt out if they don’t want to see ads.

“Governments should not claim to be protecting children from gambling advertising by asking parents to opt out. The onus should lie squarely with gambling companies and platforms.”

The “biggest” gambling reform in history

However, Albanese supported the new rules, calling them “the most significant gambling reform ever implemented.”

“The government is taking decisive action to address community and public health concerns related to gambling,” he said in a statement.

He added that the rules are focused on minimizing children’s exposure to gambling by stopping the “advertisement deluge” they face.

Advertising on the radio during school pick-up and drop-off hours will also be prohibited. The use of celebrities and athletes to promote gambling will also be banned, as will the use of gambling branding on sports venues and the uniforms of players and officials.

The ban could impact online gaming companies such as London-listed ⁠Flutter Entertainment PLC (FLTRF.L).opens a new tab – Australia’s most popular betting app, Sportsbet – and owner of Entain PLC (ENT.L)opens a new tabowner of the 3rd ranked app Ladbrokes.
Shares of Tabcorp Holdings (TAH.AX), the second largest gambling companyopens a new tab It fell 1.9% in afternoon trading, falling more sharply than the benchmark ASX 200 Index (.ASXJO).opens a new tab 1.1% decrease.

($1 = 1.4520 Australian Dollar)

Byron Kaye and Kristin Cheng report from Sydney. Editing: Himani Sarkar, Kevin Buckland, Raju Gopalakrishnan

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#Australia #hits #gambling #ads #advocates

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