You can bet on gambling ads being banned for televised sport

Albanese Government sources say it is almost certain to match Opposition Leader Peter Dutton’s pledge to ban gambling advertising before, during and after televised sporting events.

Gambling advertising before, during and after televised sporting events is likely to be banned with Albanese Government sources saying it is almost certain to match Opposition Leader Peter Dutton’s pledge last month to stop them.

The Government is waiting for the release of a parliamentary committee report into online gambling, and the harm it causes, before it makes any decision on TV advertising.

However, MPs familiar with the working of the committee said it is still in a draft stage but is expected to finalised in the next few weeks.

It is likely to recommend the government move to a public health model of gambling regulation.

The Government is waiting on a parliamentary committee report into online gambling, and the harm it causes, before it makes any decision on TV advertising. Picture: NRL

Sources in the gambling and free-to-air television industries said they expected that, at a minimum, the government would adopt Mr Dutton’s proposal, outlined in his budget-in-reply speech last month, that gambling ads on television be banned during matches and for an hour before and an hour afterwards.

Other measures under consideration include a ban on radio advertising during school drop-off and pick-up times.

Opposition leader Peter Dutton has proposed a ban on gambling advertising before, during and after televised sporting events. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Martin Ollman

There could also be an end to inducement advertising such as bonus bets granted to people when they open betting accounts.

There is also widespread acceptance the age-verification regime around online betting accounts needs to be tightened.

At present anyone opening an online betting account has 72-hours to provide age-verification during which time they are free to gamble, a window that has left it wide-open to abuse.

The industry will instead be forced to get age verification for all customers before they can gamble.

Several Government sources said that while no decisions had yet been taken, Mr Dutton’s move had wrong-footed them and there was a widespread acceptance his proposal “had put a floor” under what it would do.

“We’re not going to be out-progressived by Peter Dutton,” a source said.

Originally published as You can bet on gambling ads being banned for televised sport