The Alliance for Gambling Reform released an open letter on Tuesday 13 August signed by a powerful coalition of prominent public figures including former Prime Ministers and Premiers, calling for an end to gambling advertising across Australia.
The letter urges the Federal Government and the Opposition to commit to banning all gambling advertisements within three years, citing the harmful impact these ads have on Australians, particularly children.
The open letter, signed by more than 70 prominent Australians including former Prime Ministers John Howard and Malcolm Turnbull, former NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet and former Victorian Premiers Jeff Kennett and Steve Bracks, highlights the need for urgent reform.
The signatories are advocating for the implementation of all 31 recommendations from the Murphy Report, a comprehensive Federal Inquiry into Online Gambling led by the late Labor MP Peta Murphy, who passed away in November 2023 after a battle with breast cancer.
One of the central concerns raised in the open letter is the exposure of children to gambling advertisements.
These ads are frequently aired before and during major sporting events (NRL, AFL, horse racing, cricket etc), often watched by young audiences during ‘prime time’.
It is easy for problem gamblers to lose track of their losses when gambling online and the current bombardment of ads for the ‘betting corporates’ cannot be helping the situation.
The constant barrage of gambling promotions during these family-friendly broadcasts is seen as a dangerous influence, potentially shaping future behaviours and normalising gambling from an early age.
Although gambling is clearly labelled as “haram” (forbidden) in Islam, this does not mean that all Muslims abstain from gambling.
In fact, Canterbury-Bankstown, the Local Government Area which is home to the highest number of Muslim residents in Australia, also records the second highest annual poker machine revenue of any LGA in New South Wales.
This alarming statistic highlights the pervasive reach of gambling within communities, including those with strong religious prohibitions against it, whether the Muslim community is prepared to admit it, or not.
Currently, all gambling ads on television and radio are legally required to conclude with a verbal warning along the lines of: “You win some, you lose more.”
However, these warnings are sometimes delivered in a rushed or monotone voice, undermining their intended purpose of cautioning viewers/listeners about the risks associated with gambling.
This lackadaisical approach has drawn criticism from reform advocates, who argue that it does little to deter people from gambling or to raise awareness about the potential harms.
The signatories of the letter are calling on Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Opposition Leader Peter Dutton to commit publicly to implementing the full suite of recommendations from the Murphy Report.
The recommendations include a complete ban on gambling ads, banning inducements and promotions designed to lure people into gambling and stronger regulations to protect vulnerable populations from gambling-related harm.
Former Prime Ministers Malcolm Turnbull and John Howard have both signed the open letter.
Sports-loving former Prime Minister John Howard, a vocal supporter of the campaign, has expressed deep concern over the proliferation of gambling advertising on Australian screens.
“Many Australians are alarmed about the proliferation of gambling advertising on our screens and the mounting losses through gambling, which I believe are responsible for enormous harm across the community,” Mr Howard said.
He praised former NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet for his courageous stance on the issue and emphasised the need for sports fans to reflect on the harmful messages being sent to children through these ads.
The push for reform has attracted widespread support from a diverse range of sectors.
Alongside political figures, signatories include union leaders like Unions NSW Secretary Mark Morey and Victorian Trades Hall Council Secretary Luke Hilakari, religious leaders including Jesuit priest Father Frank Brennan and Sydney’s Anglican Archbishop Reverend Kanishka Raffel and organisations like the Public Health Association of Australia, Australian Council for Social Services and Wesley Mission.
The Alliance for Gambling Reform is an independent, non-profit, national peak body dedicated to preventing and minimising gambling harm in Australia.
Martin Thomas is the CEO of the Alliance for Gambling Reform (AGF).( Photo credit for main graphic heading this article goes to the AGF.)
Its CEO, Martin Thomas, highlighted the dire consequences of inaction, noting that Australians lose a staggering $25 billion annually to gambling.
But the financial toll is just the beginning; the ripple effects include mental health issues, suicide and an increase in family violence, all exacerbated by gambling addiction.
“A total ban on all gambling advertising is essential to stop gambling companies targeting our children,” Mr Thomas stressed.
“Any decision to simply cap advertising, or limit a blanket ban to only social media, would be a win for vested interests and leave Australians exposed to significant harm.”
The call for reform isn’t just about curbing gambling losses; it’s about protecting the next generation from the insidious grip of gambling addiction.
As Martin Thomas points out, the Federal Government has a “once-in-a-generation chance” to enact meaningful change and end the vicious cycle of gambling harm that continues to destroy families and communities across Australia.
With the momentum behind this campaign growing, the spotlight is now on the Federal Government to take decisive action and for the Opposition to lend bipartisan support.
The harmful effects of gambling, particularly on the vulnerable populations and on young people, are undeniable and this push for reform highlights the urgent need to address this growing concern.
Within the Muslim community, the struggle to resist its allure is a test of faith and discipline.
Yet, the troubling statistics in areas like Canterbury-Bankstown remind us that even strong religious principles can be overshadowed by the pervasive influence of gambling in society.
This campaign, therefore, resonates not only as a call for national change but as a reminder to our own communities to remain steadfast in our values and protect those who may be susceptible.
As the Federal Government and the Opposition deliberate over these critical reforms, it is vital for all of us to advocate for policies that safeguard our children and society at large from the pitfalls of gambling addiction.
Televison coverage of NRL and horse racing is saturated with advertisements for corporate betting companies.
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