Our Policy Proposal
We propose a three-stage approach to gambling advertising restrictions:
Stage 1 (Immediate Implementation)
- Ban all gambling advertisements during children's viewing hours (5am to 8:30pm) across all platforms
- Prohibit all gambling inducements (such as "bonus bets" or "deposit matching")
- Ban gambling sponsorship of junior sports and educational institutions
- Require prominent health warnings on all remaining gambling advertisements
Stage 2 (Within 12 months)
- Extend the TV ban to one hour before and after all sports broadcasts regardless of time of day
- Ban all gambling advertising and sponsorship on social media platforms
- Prohibit gambling companies from sponsoring sporting stadiums and venues
Stage 3 (Complete phase-in within 3 years)
- Implement a total ban on all gambling advertising across all media platforms
- Prohibit all forms of gambling sponsorship in sports, including team jerseys and on-field advertising
Learning from Western Australia's Example
Western Australia has shown remarkable leadership in minimising gambling harm by restricting pokies to the casino only. Unlike other states where pokies are scattered throughout pubs and clubs, WA's model has resulted in lower rates of problem gambling [5] and demonstrates that communities can thrive without widespread access to these particularly harmful gambling products. The same principle should apply to gambling advertising – we don't need it saturating our media to maintain vibrant sports and entertainment industries.
Funding Transition Support
To address legitimate concerns about revenue impacts on broadcasters and sporting codes, we propose:
- A levy on gambling industry revenue to fund a transition package for affected media and sporting organisations
- Incentives for alternative sponsorships through tax benefits for non-gambling companies that step in
- Dedicated funding for grassroots sports to ensure community sports don't suffer, in line with our connected communities focus.
Evidence Supports Action
- 87% of Australians support banning gambling ads during family TV hours [6]
- 80% of Australians agree children are exposed to too many gambling ads [6]
- Peer reviewed empirical evidence clearly links profits made by gambling firms to excess spend defined as by problem gambling.
- The multi-partisan Murphy Inquiry (2023) recommended a complete phase-out of gambling advertising [3]
- Similar restrictions on tobacco advertising were successfully implemented without devastating effects on sports or media [7]
Call to Action
By signing this petition, you are calling on the Australian Government to break free from the influence of gambling industry donations and implement a comprehensive approach to gambling advertising restrictions. We ask that Parliament build upon the current proposed restrictions to deliver the comprehensive protection that Australians deserve and support. It's time our elected representatives listened to the overwhelming majority of Australians rather than the gambling industry's lobbyists.
References
[1] Sathanapally, A., Griffiths, K., and Baldwin, E. (2024). "A better bet: How Australia should prevent gambling harm." Grattan Institute Report No. 2024-08, September 2024.
[2] Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) (2023). "Gambling advertising in Australia: placement and spending."
[3] Murphy, P. et al. (2023). "You win some, you lose more." House of Representatives Standing Committee on Social Policy and Legal Affairs, June 2023.
[4] Basford Canales, S. (2024). "How donations to political parties from gambling companies linked to horse racing have surged." The Guardian, 4 November 2024.
[5] Russell, A. et al. (2023). "Electronic gaming machine accessibility and gambling problems: A natural policy experiment." Journal of Behavioral Addictions 12(3), pp. 721-732.
[6] The Australia Institute (2025). "Polling – Bans on gambling advertising." March 2025.
[7] Greenhalgh, E., Scollo, M. and Winstanley, M. (2024). "Tobacco in Australia: Facts and issues." Cancer Council Victoria.