Independent Member for Mayo Rebekha Sharkie MP has introduced legislation to ban gambling advertising to federal parliament.

Her Private Members Bill would amend the Interactive Gambling Act to ban advertising of licensed interactive gambling services such as telephone and online gambling, on television, radio, in print and online.

Ms Sharkie says Australians lose more than $25 billion each year on gambling, causing untold harm to the broader community.

“We know that Australians are increasingly targeted by gambling advertising, and that seeing or hearing such advertising leaves many at risk of gambling harm.”

She says the interactive gambling sector grew dramatically during the pandemic, with gambling companies’ spending $287.2 million on advertising in 2022. 

“Young people are reportedly more likely to bet on impulse or gamble more after viewing these ads. 

“Many of us can no longer enjoy sitting down with our kids to watch sport as we know we will be bombarded by antisocial ads in which gambling masquerades as mateship.”

The Australian Institute of Family Studies has found that three in four Australians have gambled at least once in the past year, with 46 per cent at risk of harm from betting. 

The Institute's 2023 report highlights concerning links between gambling advertising and increased betting. 

These findings demonstrate that exposure to gambling advertisements facilitates increases in impulsive betting, particularly from younger Australians. 

Surveys in 2022 showed 71 per cent of Australians agreed that gambling ads should be banned.

“If people wish to gamble then that is their call,” Ms Sharkie says, “but we don’t all need to be reminded 1,000 times a day.

“Most Australians have made it clear they want gambling advertising banned.

"I'm pleased the Federal Opposition recognises this as a big problem and want to ban ads before and after games. 

“We need the Federal Government to go one step further and ban gambling advertising altogether."

Fellow independent MP Andrew Wilkie and Senator Jacqui Lambie are supporting the change in legislation.

“Australians are sick to death of gambling being promoted and normalised,” Mr Wilkie says.

“Why is it then that the Government remains beholden to gambling companies and continues to let gambling ads plague our society? 

“This is why this Bill is urgently needed to help curb the negative impact gambling and gambling advertising has on people. It’s time for the Government to act and ban gambling advertising.”