Skip navigation
Cost of Living Housing Healthcare National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) Roads & Potholes Energy Climate Change Emergency Preparedness Integrity in Politics Tradies and Subbies The Middle East region Engagement with First Nations people's in Casey LGBTQIA+ Ally of the Queer Community Gambling Advertising Reproductive Health Nuclear

Gambling Advertising

Answer

I support a ban on gambling advertising to remove one million gambling ads each year from our TVs and radio airwaves. 

Gambling in Australia is like guns for the United States, a social cancer that is embedded in every part of our lives. Gambling advertising is everywhere. It is insidious, on our screens, on our phones. Advertising is increasingly targeted and pitched to our kids and young people, blatant online grooming of our children by gambling companies. It was noticeable to me during the 2024 Paris Olympics the absence of gambling advertising, reinforcing to me that we have been indoctrinated to accept pervasive and ever-present gambling advertising is normal, it is not.

Some fast facts:

  • Australia has the highest gambling loss per person in the world
  • Australians lose more than $25 billion every year to gambling
  • $200 million was lost on electronic gaming machines (EGMs) in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs from 1 July to 31 December 2024
  • In the Shire of Yarra Ranges, pokies players lost $15.4 million in 452 EGMs across 9 venues (July-Dec 2024) = $2.57 million each and every month. In a cost-of-living crisis our community cannot afford to lose millions each month.
  • The research is clear, gambling ads are more than annoying they’re extremely harmful, particularly for kids. The harms of gambling are financial, mental health, domestic violence, family breakdown and homelessness. 

Social service groups, leaders in sport, health and business, former prime ministers, state premiers and Independent MPs have presented a compelling case to the Government to ban all gambling advertising. The evidence is clear and was detailed in the Government’s own Report 'You win some, you lose more'.  

Why are the major parties not acting when the case is so compelling, with 86% of Australians supporting a ban on gambling adverting? 

Data released in early February by the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC), shows that gambling, betting and hotel organisations made over $1 million in donations to the major political parties in 2024. 

  • The Australian Hotels Association donated $483,189
  • Tabcorp $193,000
  • Sportsbet $163,000
  • The Lottery Corporation $115,000.
  • Individual clubs and venues also made donations.

As a Community Independent I do not accept donations from gambling, betting and hotel organisations.