Tabcorp backs gambling ads crackdown as Michelle Rowland remains tight-lipped

Gaming giant Tabcorp says it supports a cut in gambling advertising, amid speculation the Albanese government may be preparing to water down a proposed crackdown.

Gaming giant Tabcorp says it backs a cut in gambling advertising amid speculation the Albanese government may be preparing to water down a proposed crackdown.

A Labor-led parliamentary review in 2022 called for a ban on gaming advertising to be introduced over a three-year period, but the government has so far failed to commit to a prohibition that could cut $300m from media spending.

A spokesperson for Communications Minister Michelle Rowland said she was still meeting with stakeholders on the review and declined to comment on speculation about the final form of restrictions. A final decision is expected in the next few weeks.

Tabcorp said it would not be commenting until the review process was complete. But it pointed to its submission to the review where it became the first wagering company to call for a reduction in gambling advertising.

In its submission, Tabcorp said gambling advertising was at a record level, and 55 per cent of Australians think there is too much gambling advertising.

Tabcorp said such advertising should only be seen in places where “people go to gamble, including pubs, clubs, or racetracks or on exclusive platforms dedicated to gambling events such as Sky Racing TV and radio.”

Tabcorp also noted its foreign-owned competitor Sportsbet was the largest gambling advertiser by far in Australia. “In the first half of 2022, they spent almost double what other operators spent on advertising,” Tabcorp told the parliamentary inquiry.

n its submission, Tabcorp said gambling advertising was at a record level, and 55 per cent of Australians think there is too much gambling advertising.

It said the impact of gambling advertising was threefold, including a strong link between advertising and an increase in gambling activity. “Foreign bookies have been targeting customers of pubs, clubs, and the local Australian state-based licensee with aggressive advertising and inducements, especially when retail venues were forced to close during the pandemic,” Tabcorp said.

Tabcorp has faced increasing competition from big international bookmakers such as Ladbrokes and Sportsbet as customers abandon in-person wagering and place bets online.

It is understood gambling companies have signed nondisclosure agreements in relation to the review. The committee called for a prohibition of advertising online gambling on commercial radio between 8.30am to 9am and 3.30pm to 4pm in phase one of the crackdown while phases two and three would include prohibition of all online gambling advertising and commentary on odds, during and an hour either side of a sports broadcast. The final phase at the end of the third year would include a prohibition on all online gambling ads and sponsorship.

The spokesperson for Ms Rowland hit back at claims by independent MP Zoe Daniel that the minister or her office had met 66 times with gambling executives in six months.

“To be clear, Minister Rowland has met with zero gambling executives or gambling entities,” the spokesperson said.

The document referred to by Ms Daniel mentioned 66 listed meetings but these included a range of stakeholders such as the Alliance for Gambling Reform, Relationships Australia, Suicide Prevention Australia and the Australian Medical Association