Don't make betting appear glamorous in ads

Tell the truth about betting, don't make it glamorous when it isn't, and don't imply you will always win when you don't.

Man betting online on a tablet. Picture: milindri

IN THIS time of concern about fake news perhaps it is time to look at the ugly stepchild of fake news - fake advertisements and specifically one type, gambling ads.

Like many people on a Sunday I sat down to watch the highlights of my team's win but the replays kept getting interrupted by ads for gambling venues and companies.

I know these TV shows need sponsorship and many of their audience is interesting in 'backing' their team although a better form of support could be in the purchase of team merchandise.

My concern was with the portrayal of people involved in this gambling.

It should be obvious these massive companies make their money from your loses so people do, or should, recognise that most of the time they are going to lose.

The ads show people who are young and very attractive, surrounded by 'celebrities' and sports people and for some odd reason they always seem to film it when they have a win.

What I see when I visit the hotels with pokies, the racetracks with bookmakers or any similar venue is, however, a lot of older, generally much less attractive people who seem to sadly be losing but maybe I am there at the wrong time.

Some of the big race meetings do have invited or paid celebrities but they are in the branded tents and areas where I as a mug punter don't have access.

Tell the truth about betting, don't make it glamorous when it isn't, don't imply you will always win when you don't and don't suggest I'll make lots of new interesting friends when I won't.

Don't worry I'll still have the occasional bet even though I know what the likely outcome will be.

DENNIS FITZGERALD

Box Hill, Victoria

Originally published as Don't make betting appear glamorous in ads