Tabcorp calls for daytime TV gambling advertising blackout
Wagering giant Tabcorp says Opposition Leader Peter Dutton’s plan to ban gambling ads during sports games doesn’t go far enough.
Wagering giant Tabcorp has backed Peter Dutton’s call to ban gambling advertising during sports games but says the proposal doesn’t go far enough and the ad blackout should be extended to most of the day as well.
Tabcorp chief executive Adam Rytenskild said gambling advertising should be banned on free-to-air TV from 6.30am to 8.30pm, pledging to voluntarily stop advertising between those hours if the federal government doesn’t take action.
“Gambling advertising has gone too far,” he said. “We believe gambling advertising should be banned on free-to-air television, excluding racing programs, between 6.30am and 8.30pm, and if the current federal gambling inquiry doesn’t make change, we will voluntarily stop advertising between those hours.
“Families should not be bombarded with gambling advertisements while they are watching TV.”
The Opposition Leader said the “bombardment of betting ads” during sports games was “normalising gambling at a young age”, announcing during his federal budget reply speech on Thursday night plans to have betting ads banned during the broadcast of games.
Responsible Wagering Australia executive Kai Cantwell criticised Mr Dutton’s proposal for being announced before a parliamentary inquiry into online gambling and its impacts on those experiencing harm hands down its findings.
“RWA recognises the community sentiment around current levels of advertising, but any new regulation needs to be sensible, evidence-based and take into account the views of industry, sporting bodies and broadcasters,” he said.
“RWA looks forward to engaging with the government and federal opposition going forward to identify a balanced approach to advertising regulation.”
Sportsbet said it recognised the need for “balanced reform” to gambling advertising but a ban would have financial repercussions for sporting codes and broadcasters. “Thursday’s announcement, which focuses solely on sport broadcasts, risks leading to significant impacts on sport and media funding,” a spokesman said.
“We encourage all political parties to work constructively in consultation with affected sectors on proportionate solutions that achieve this balance while reducing harm.”
Alliance for Gambling Reform chief executive Carol Bennett said sports gambling advertising was “out of control” and politicians on both sides of the divide should enact a total ban of betting advertising across Australian media.
“Sports wagering is the fastest growing form of gambling in Australia, with losses now amounting to more than $7bn annually,” she said. “It’s a ruthless, poorly regulated industry that targets young people.
“Only a total ban on advertising will work.
“We know historically when tighter restrictions have been introduced during live sport back in 2018, it actually led to a 50 per cent increase in the total volume of gambling ads on TV and radio.”
Last month, Communications Minister Michelle Rowland announced the federal government’s plans to ban punters from using credit cards to gamble online to prevent people from falling into debt.
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