Australian Gambling Lobby Pushes for Age Verification Over Ad Ban

The debate over gambling advertisements and their potential impact on minors has intensified in Australia, as the federal government faces mounting pressure to make a decision on proposed reforms. Opponents of a gambling ad ban, including industry representatives, are advocating for the use of age verification technology to prevent minors from accessing sports betting content. This comes as the government already plans to implement age verification methods to restrict young children’s access to social media, leading some in the gambling sector to suggest that similar measures could be applied to betting ads.

Tim Costello, the chief advocate for the Alliance for Gambling Reform, cited by The Guardian, has expressed concerns that the Albanese government might miss a unique opportunity to make significant changes in the gambling sector. Costello argues that Australia’s high gambling losses are being neglected in favor of small adjustments that cater to sporting codes and media outlets. “They continue to fail to explain why we’ve got the greatest gambling losses in the world, but keep fiddling at the edges to keep the sporting codes and media outlets onside,” he said.

The push for gambling ad reform gained momentum after Peta Murphy’s report, released nearly 15 months ago, recommended a ban on all advertising for online gambling. However, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has shown reluctance to adopt such a blanket ban, and the government is considering more limited restrictions, such as banning ads during children’s programming and live sports broadcasts, as well as imposing caps on ad frequency during general TV programming.

Harm reduction advocates argue that these proposed measures are insufficient. A study conducted by the Australian Gambling Research Centre highlights the significant risks posed to minors, revealing that approximately one-third of young adults who gambled in the past year had started before turning 18. Those who begin gambling at a younger age tend to face more severe problems with gambling later in life, underlining the importance of early intervention and stricter advertising regulations.

Industry’s Push for Alternatives

While anti-gambling advocates push for stricter reforms, the gambling industry is advocating for alternative measures. Kai Cantwell, CEO of Responsible Wagering Australia, which represents companies such as bet365, Sportsbet, and Pointsbet, has emphasized the need for “sensible, evidence-based alternatives.” These alternatives include opt-out provisions and age verification requirements, which would allow consumers to prevent themselves from being exposed to gambling ads while ensuring that minors are blocked from betting content.

Cantwell argues that these measures can effectively reduce the exposure of children and vulnerable individuals to gambling advertising, while also maintaining the financial support that sports leagues and broadcasters rely on from the gambling industry. “It’s crucial to strike a balance that prevents Australians from turning to illegal offshore providers, who provide no protections to customers and don’t pay taxes and fees that licensed providers are required to pay,” Cantwell said.

Both sides of the debate have voiced frustration over the government’s delay in making a final decision. With the AFL and NRL finals approaching, many expect the government to reveal its proposal shortly after, possibly during the next federal parliamentary session in early October. For now, there remains uncertainty over the path the government will take.

Prime Minister’s Position on Gambling Reform

Prime Minister Albanese has indicated that his government is exploring a range of options and questioned whether a complete ban on gambling advertisements would “solve the problem.” Additionally, Albanese suggested that the government intends to tighten the rules around the self-exclusion scheme BetStop, following reports that problem gamblers have found ways to exploit loopholes in the system and continue betting despite having registered for exclusion. Communications Minister Michelle Rowland’s office confirmed that the government would soon initiate a statutory review of BetStop to determine whether the program is adequately serving its purpose.

Tim Costello, however, remains skeptical of the government’s willingness to take decisive action. He called on Albanese to demonstrate strong leadership, comparing the situation to past reforms under Prime Ministers John Howard and Kevin Rudd. “John Howard did gun reform, Kevin Rudd did smoking ads. Albo’s government set up the Murphy report, people want a ban, we don’t want kids groomed – but Albo’s going to squib it,” Costello said.