Experts call for ban on online gambling advertising – ABC listen

Samantha Donovan: It has been 14 months since a federal parliamentary inquiry recommended a total ban on gambling advertising, but the government is yet to issue its response. Some media reports have speculated that it may be based on the number of gambling ads rather than the ban, and that is a concern of public health experts. Luke Radford has more.

Luke Radford: Professor Samantha Thomas is one of Australia’s leading researchers on the effects of gambling, and now she is very upset by the government’s efforts to change the laws regarding the promotion of online gambling. He is concerned that the minister is talking more to gambling companies than public health experts.

Samantha Thomas: No, in the last 14 months, we have had very little communication with the minister. We had a short half-hour meeting with Michelle Rowlands in December last year, but really, I think given the evidence base that we have about the impact of gambling ads, especially -great for children and the popularity of gambling for children, we have more than ten years. Current research shows that gambling advertisements have a significant impact on children’s gambling habit. The evidence is very clear, and we are curious to know why the minister and the government will not talk more with public health experts about this very life-threatening issue for children.

Luke Radford: In June last year, a bipartisan parliamentary inquiry led by late MP Peter Murphy recommended a total ban on all forms of online gambling advertising. Professor Thomas has been a strong supporter of the call for a ban, saying the government should make a full proposal.

Samantha Thomas: The gambling industry is one of, I think, one of the healthiest industries that we have seen in modern times. They have been amazingly good at changing their marketing tactics, around regulations. We see this in many countries of the world. You know, we need a government that is bold and courageous, that is willing to stand up against these invasive industries. The children call it, the community calls it. Why is the government not acting?

Luke Radford: Professor Thomas and his colleague, Emeritus professor Mike Daube, have also written a letter asking him to be given the same status as the betting and media companies. The ABC contacted Minister Michelle Rowland’s office seeking her response. A spokesman told the ABC the government was continuing to consult with stakeholders about recommendations from the online gambling investigation. Freedom of information documents show meetings have been held by the minister’s office staff, with groups including betting companies, sports competitions, television companies and social and health organisations. beauty. Independent Senator David Pocock said when the process began, there seemed to be a strong consensus in support of the ban, but that consensus appears to be weak.

David Pocock: We had a report sponsored by many organizations. They looked at the current situation and said, this issue is not good, it has big consequences. And they recommended the suspension of the ban on all gambling advertisements. Now we hear of a proposal to close rather than ban gambling advertising, which is a complete police. And I would argue that it is a betrayal of the work and legacy of that committee and the late Peter Murphy, who put a lot of money into this. And you don’t often have cross-party committee reports in parliament. We need to complete the report in detail.

Luke Radford: Senator Pocock also called out what he said was government-enforced secrecy.

David Pocock: When people involved have to sign non-disclosure agreements, I think it’s a very bad way to set up a policy, but it seems to be the right way. And we’ve seen industry sources come out and talk about what’s being proposed, it sounds like a very good ban. And we know from other places that the less restrictions you have, the less results you get because gambling companies find other ways to advertise.

Luke Radford: The ABC contacted Australia’s top body for betting companies responsible for betting in Australia, but said it could not comment on the process because it had signed a non-disclosure agreement. Questions have also been raised about the relationship between Australia’s sporting codes and betting companies, particularly following the appointment of former AFL boss Gil McLaughlin as chairman of betting company TabCorp. Senator Pocock again.

David Pocock: It’s a big problem. If the government had had the guts to implement the recommendations of the Murphy review before Gil McLaughlin got the job, I’m sure he probably wouldn’t have. As he is there for insider knowledge, the inner workings of sports. And we saw some very interesting interactions. Now this is more than just advertising money. It is part of the money system of some of these games.

Samantha Donovan: Independent Senator David Pocock. Luke Radford reports.