Aussie Gaming minister wants tougher gambling advertising laws

In Australia, the Gaming and Liquor Regulation Minister for Victoria, Jane Garrett, has suggested that the federal government review of online gambling be expanded to include the “onslaught” of pervasive gambling advertising throughout the nation.

In a letter to Social Services Minister Christian Porter and Communications Minister Mitch Fifield, Garrett urged that the review be expanded to include advertising, observing:

“Recent research suggests that sports betting advertising may have negative economic and social impacts on vulnerable groups such as young people and problem gamblers, and it contributes to the normalisation of gambling as part of sport.

“Given many wagering services providers operate nationally, there is scope for the Australian and state and territory governments to work collaboratively to improve the effectiveness of gambling advertising regulation.

“This could include the development of measures to control or minimise harm associated with gambling advertising.”

Garrett added that self-regulation of sports odds in live broadcasts had failed to quell community concern, and said in a subsequent newspaper interview:

“We need to start a national conversation now, particularly around its impact on kids and young people who are bombarded through sports betting advertising.”

She said that because gambling advertisers use a comprehensive range of promotional tools, including social media, the review must be expanded to find out if the Australian Communications and Media Authority had adequate powers and resources to regulate the sector.

Approached for comment, a spokesman for Social Services Minister Christian Porter said: “Government always prefers self-regulation over government regulations. But we will legislate to control gambling advertising if self-imposed industry regulations prove ineffective”.

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