The NSW Labor government will ban gambling advertising on public transport – including axing all internal and external promotions on trains, buses and light rail and at stations and ferry wharves – amid criticism that a Brisbane-based sports betting app was spruiked across the network.
Gambling promotions have long been a feature on the NSW transport network, which operates one of the largest portfolios of advertising assets across Australia.
Picklebet advertising on Sydney light rail.Credit: LinkedIn
Transport for NSW boasts 798 advertising boards at Sydney train stations, 49 road-facing digital billboards, adverts on as many as 3711 city buses, 76 trams and across the Tangara train fleet, generating more than $33 million in revenue for the state each year.
However, when advertisements for sports betting app Picklebet turned up on trains, light rail and in stations last year, commuters and gambling reform advocates pushed the government for tighter controls on what types of advertising it accepted.
The Minns government says it will work with its multiple advertising contract holders to implement the ban on gambling advertisements over the next 12 months.
Online gambling is big business in Australia, with sports betting turnover soaring past $50 billion a year. The Albanese government has been pressured to ban online gambling advertisements, including from its Labor MPs, but it is unlikely that legislation will eventuate before the looming federal election after lobbying from sporting codes and media outlets.
A 2023 parliamentary inquiry into online gambling chaired by late federal Labor MP Peta Murphy recommended a ban on gambling advertisements to help tackle harm caused by problem gambling.
There was wide support for Murphy’s proposals, with many people concerned about the wave of gambling content swamping sport. Albanese has also regularly argued that the saturation of advertising was “untenable”, but the prime minister has not committed to a ban.
NSW Minister for Transport Jo Haylen said gambling advertising had been a common sight on public transport but it was time to remove it.
“Parents are rightly worried about the impact it has on their kids, so it’s not something that we think needs to be on our transport network,” she said.
“With over 3500 buses, close to 800 advertising assets at train stations, as well as advertising on light rail and trains, Transport’s advertising contracts are vast. Because of the scale it will take some time to implement this change, but we will be working closely with our contract partners over the next 12 months to get this done.”
A Grattan Institute report last year revealed Australians lose $24 billion a year gambling, mostly on poker machines and betting, the highest losses in the world.
NSW’s advertising suppliers are required to ensure all material complies with the law, accepted industry standards and codes of conduct. However, there were concerns Picklebet’s ads did not include the mandatory details for the gambling helpline.
The Minns government has been grappling with how to reform gambling after a report from the NSW Crime Commission revealed criminals were washing dirty money through poker machines.
Start the day with a summary of the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.