Aussie health groups call for ad restrictions around gambling
A coalition of more than 130 health groups, charities and community leaders has launched a national campaign urging the Federal Government to restrict advertising for gambling, alcohol and unhealthy food, citing overwhelming public support for tighter rules.
The campaign, titled Give us an Ad Break, argues that widespread marketing of harmful products is driving higher consumption and contributing to rising rates of cancer, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, mental illness and financial hardship.
“Whether browsing online, scrolling your feed or watching sport, Australians, including children, are constantly exposed to ads for harmful products like alcohol,” Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education CEO Ayla Chorley said.
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“There is resounding community support for putting common sense limits on how these multi-million dollar companies can promote their products.”
Polling conducted in February found that four in five Australians support reducing advertising for gambling, alcohol and unhealthy foods, particularly where children are exposed.
Campaign leaders are calling for a new Harmful Products Marketing Act, modelled on Australia’s tobacco advertising restrictions, which would introduce enforceable limits on when and where these products can be promoted.
“We hear from parents who simply want their children to enjoy sport without being surrounded by alcohol ads, and from people who feel targeted wherever they go, online and offline,” Ms Chorley said.
“These companies collect extensive personal data to tailor advertising enticing people to buy more, which makes it very hard for people trying to cut out, or cut back.”
Supporters say current advertising systems rely heavily on industry self-regulation.
Advocates argue reducing exposure to marketing — especially during sport events, online platforms and public spaces — could significantly improve long-term health outcomes and reduce gambling-related harm across Australia.
Betting sites in Australia are already restricted by when and what they can advertise, with much of the public outcry surrounding the extra attention these companies give the NRL and AFL, which are now in-season.
The poll spoken about by the Coalition For Gambling Reform was conducted in February, but there are very few details about how it was conducted, or specific results released.
Advertising restrictions important, but bigger fish to fry
While sports betting advertising is rife on Australian television, the country has some of the least advanced gambling laws in the world, with the failure to address online casinos and poker sending millions offshore yearly.
While the discussion surrounding advertising during sports events is warranted it’s becoming more apparent by the day that Australia should regulate online gambling properly, creating a national regulator.
This would then allow uniform decisions to be handed down surrounding things like advertising during sports events, and give those in the Australian gambling industry a definitive source to seek guidance from.
