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Ban all gambling ads: If tobacco ads went, so should gambling

Family First Party

Family First National Director and NSW Legislative Council lead candidate Lyle Shelton has called on the Albanese Government and the Minns Government to support a complete ban on gambling advertising across television, streaming services, social media and all online platforms, saying Australians are paying a devastating price for governments that continue to put gambling industry profits ahead of families.

 

Mr Shelton said the time for half-measures had passed.

 

"Every weekend, Australian families sit down to watch the footy with their children only to be bombarded by gambling advertisements encouraging viewers to have a punt. Gambling has become so normalised that many children now associate sport with betting."

 

The Alliance for Gambling Reform has warned that around 600,000 Australian teenagers aged between 12 and 17 are gambling, collectively spending around $18 million every year, while sports betting among young men is growing at an alarming rate.

 

"These figures should shock every parent in Australia," Mr Shelton said.

 

"Children should grow up admiring athletic excellence, teamwork and perseverance—not being conditioned to think gambling is an essential part of watching sport."

 

Mr Shelton said respected political commentator James Massola had made an important observation in his recent Sydney Morning Herald column.

 

"James Massola rightly pointed out that when Australia banned cigarette advertising on television, the sky didn't fall in. Looking back today, almost nobody argues we should bring tobacco advertising back.

 

"The same principle should now apply to gambling.

 

"If anything, gambling is arguably just as harmful, if not more harmful, than cigarettes. While smoking destroys the health of the individual, gambling addiction frequently destroys entire families through financial ruin, relationship breakdown, mental illness and, tragically, suicide."

 

Mr Shelton said the Albanese Government's proposal to merely reduce gambling advertisements failed to address the real problem.

 

"You don't solve a public health crisis by making it slightly less visible.

 

"We don't limit cigarette advertising to three ads an hour. We banned it because we recognised the enormous social harm it caused.

 

"Gambling advertising deserves exactly the same treatment."

 

Mr Shelton said governments should stop pretending sporting codes and broadcasters cannot survive without gambling revenue.

 

"They made exactly the same arguments decades ago about tobacco sponsorship. Yet Australian sport not only survived—it flourished.

 

"Sport should unite Australians, inspire young people and promote healthy lifestyles. It should not serve as a marketing platform for bookmakers."

 

Mr Shelton said Family First would support legislation to prohibit gambling advertising on free-to-air television, subscription television, streaming platforms, radio, social media, online services and at sporting venues.

 

"The role of government is to protect families, not protect the business models of gambling companies.

 

"The evidence is overwhelming. The social harm is undeniable. The solution is obvious.

 

"It's time to end the relentless promotion of gambling and give Australia's children the chance to enjoy sport without being groomed into becoming the next generation of gamblers."

 

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