Australia is set to implement new regulations regarding gambling advertising, with a ban on online ads and a partial ban on television ads. The Australian Labor government will be enforcing these changes, following recommendations made by a parliamentary committee. The debate over gambling advertising has been ongoing for several months, with arguments between two sides intensifying after the committee recommended a blanket ban on advertising last year.
The government has not officially stated its position on the matter, but some members of parliament from the ruling Labor administration have broken party lines to support the committee’s recommendations. The new regulations will not be as strict as initially proposed by the committee, with a compromise position expected to be taken by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s administration.
The partial ban on TV ads will come into effect in two years, allowing TV networks to fulfill their contractual obligations. The government has decided against a complete ban on all gambling advertising, as advocated by former Prime Ministers and the parliamentary committee. Instead, the focus will be on limiting the number of ads, reducing exposure to children, and prohibiting ads during sporting events.
Albanese has denied that a final decision has been made on the regulations, emphasizing the importance of consultation to ensure the reforms are implemented correctly. The government aims to address the issue of problem gambling in a constructive manner.
Social Services Minister Amanda Rishworth will be implementing most of the recommendations from the report, but has ruled out the introduction of a national gambling regulator. This decision is likely to spark controversy, as a unified regulator was a key recommendation of the parliamentary committee. Rishworth has stated that discussions with states and territories are centered around better coordination for online gaming efforts.
Overall, Australia’s gambling advertising landscape is set to undergo significant changes with the implementation of new regulations. The government’s approach aims to strike a balance between addressing problem gambling issues and allowing for responsible advertising practices.