Early in my time as an MP, constituents raised with me the issue of online gambling harm and since then I have been working to reduce it.  I have heard heart-breaking stories of loss and shame from the Curtin electorate. 

I am particularly concerned about children’s exposure to gambling products.  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. 

Almost 75% of Australian parents reported being ‘bothered’ by their children being exposed to gambling ads, whilst 86% of Australians agreed that gambling adverting should not be shown to children while online. 

In June 2023 the House Standing Committee on Social Policy and Legal Affairs, of which I am a member, completed its inquiry into online gambling, after 40 hours of hearings and 161 submissions.  

The committee’s report ‘You Win Some, You Lose More’ includes 31 recommendations.  These 31 recommendations urge the government to respond with a national strategy for online gambling harm reduction based on public health principles.  

A key recommendation in the report was a “comprehensive ban on all forms of advertising for online gambling”.  A gambling ad is shown every two minutes on free to air TV in Australia.  

This recommendation reflects the very broad consensus and alarming supporting data, that gambling does a great deal of harm, not just significant financial harm but psychological and social harm as well. 

The Government was meant to respond to this report within six months, but still says it is considering the recommendations. 

I have continued to speak in Parliament and in media about the impact of online gambling in Parliament and the need for Government to respond to the committee recommendations.   

I will continue to push the Government until the committee recommendations are implemented. 

Add your name to the petition to end advertising for online gambling, click here: https://www.agr.org.au/endgamblingads