Worried Parents Seek Ban on Gambling Ads in Victoria
LISTEN TO THIS ARTICLE:In Australia’s state of Victoria, concerned parents are fueling growing calls for a gambling advertisement ban. The gambling regulator’s chief executive of the state revealed that there is an increasing number of complaints from parents whose children have been able to open accounts with bookmakers.
Gambling is deeply ingrained in Australian culture, with billions of dollars annually spent on various forms, including sports betting. Operators spend a vast amount battling to attract customers, but these ads, according to critics, contribute to the high levels of gambling losses.
VGCCC Awaiting Federal Government Response
The federal government of Australia is currently considering a reform in the gambling sector. This comes in the wake of Labor MPs proposing a ban on gambling advertisements. Tim Costello, a chief advocate for the Alliance for Gambling Reform, supports this reform. He argues that the proliferation of gambling ads exacerbates the problem.
Annette Kimmitt, the chief executive of the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC), also raised concerns about the impact of these advertisements, especially on children. She said that they are waiting for the federal government’s response to the inquiry’s recommendations.
Kimmitt has received numerous complaints from parents about their children’s involvement in online gambling and said that if it were up to her, then she would introduce a gambling advertisement ban immediately.
When people find out I am the head of the Victorian gambling regulator, I am bombarded with stories from parents of teenagers who have discovered that their children have online wagering accounts.
Once in a Generation Chance for Change
Costello has emphasized how important the potential reform could be. He is calling upon the federal government to implement major changes and called it a “once-in-a-generation chance for reform”.
Costello added: “The public and parents are crying out for it, and the regulator is in touch with the community and knows exactly how they feel.”
Victoria is not the only state addressing the issue of gambling adverts. Efforts are being made in New South Wales, where new state laws have been introduced to ban the display of gaming signage. According to Liquor & Gaming New South Wales, the state’s regulator, 99% of venues have complied with the laws.
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