Is time up for gambling advertising in Australia?

Seven in ten Australians agree that gambling ads on TV should be banned, according to new research. 

A poll by The Australia Institute think tank also found strong support for regulating the advertising of junk food on TV to protect children and a significant level of backing for a ban on alcohol ads.

Why it matters

Consumers’ opposition to gambling ads came from across the political spectrum and shortly after a parliamentary inquiry into online gambling recommended the phasing out of gambling ads.

“While banning gambling ads is a significant step, it’s very politically feasible with support across the parliament and high support in the community. I think the time for action has clearly come,” Noah Schultz-Byard, a director at The Australia Institute, told Mumbrella. 

Takeaways 

• Gambling brands spent more than A$300m on ads in 2022, half that on free-to-air TV spots. 
• Around two-thirds of survey respondents favoured regulation of junk food advertising on TV at times when children are likely to be watching. 
• Roughly half agreed alcohol ads should be phased out (twice as many as the number who disagreed).

Sourced from Mumbrella