Inquiry into online gambling (15 September 2022)
Independent Federal Member for Curtin Kate Chaney is is committed to reducing harm from online gambling and as a member of the Standing Committee on Social Policy and Legal Affairs, will participate in a new inquiry into gambling reform.
The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Social Policy and Legal Affairs has today launched an inquiry into online gambling and its impacts on people with gambling problems.
The inquiry will cover a range of issues relating to online gambling, including consumer protections, support services, regulatory regimes, emerging technologies and advertising restrictions. It is due to report to Parliament in May.
The Committee is seeking written submissions, ideally of no more than ten pages, from individuals and organisations providing recommendations relating to any or all of the inquiry terms of reference by 11 November 2022.
Of particular concern to Ms Chaney is reducing children’s exposure to gambling products.
“I have heard heart-breaking stories of loss and shame from my electorate. An immediate priority should be reducing children’s access to online gambling advertising. A gambling ad is shown every two minutes on free to air TV in Australia. We are conditioning our kids to think gambling is normal,” Ms Chaney said.
Three quarters of Australian children aged 8–16 years who watch sport think betting on sport is normal and can also name one or more sports betting companies (25% can name four or more).
Almost three quarters of Australian parents reported being ‘bothered’ by their children being exposed to gambling ads. And 86% of Australians agree that gambling adverting should not be shown to children while online.
“I’m pleased the terms of reference include reviewing the effectiveness of advertising restrictions on children’s exposure to gambling products, including consideration of the impact of advertising through social media, sponsorship or branding from online licensed gambling operators.”
“The very real and insidious nature of this issue was brought to my attention by a number of constituents who relayed their stories. Rod told me of his son Ollie, who had lost $25,000. Sandra told me of her son, who started with a rite of passage trip to the races for his 18th birthday and ended up borrowing tens of thousands of dollars from friends and family and losing it through online gambling.
“Sporting bodies and media outlets have come to rely on the revenue from gambling advertising. We can’t let this be a barrier to reform in this area.
“On 8 September I spoke about the impact of online gambling in Parliament. Since making that speech, my office has heard from others impacted, which only emphasises the breadth of the issue.”
The Committee will examine:
the effectiveness of existing consumer protections aimed at reducing online problem gambling
how to better target programs to address online problem gambling to reduce the potential exploitation of at-risk people, and protect individuals, families and communities
the effectiveness of current counselling and support services to address online problem gambling
the quality of and access to protective online gambling education programs
the impact of current regulatory and licensing regimes for online gambling on the effectiveness of harm minimisation and consumer protection efforts
the appropriateness of the definition of ‘gambling service’ in the Interactive Gambling Act 2001 (Cth), and whether it should be amended to capture additional gambling-like activities such as simulated gambling in video games (e.g. ‘loot boxes’ and social casino games)
the appropriateness of current gambling regulations in light of emerging technologies, payment options and products
the effectiveness of protections against illegal online gambling services, including casino style gambling such as online blackjack and slot machines
the effectiveness of current gambling advertising restrictions on limiting children’s exposure to gambling products and services (e.g. promotion of betting odds during live sport broadcasts), including consideration of the impact of advertising through social media, sponsorship or branding from online licenced gambling operators, and
any other related matters.
