Anthony Albanese’s new gambling reforms promise much but are really a cautious, politically palatable compromise.
- Professor of Public Health, Deakin University
Women are frustrated at being bombarded with marketing for menopause ‘solutions’ that don’t work or overstate the benefits.
As gambling companies increasingly target young people, many are becoming frustrated by a lack of government action to protect them from gambling harms.
Gambling companies are following a well-worn playbook, one mastered by the tobacco industry: trying to influence women.
Lobbyists for Australia’s gambling sector argue advertising isn’t normalising the practice to children and that any ban would force people to bet illegally. Results here and globally say otherwise.
It’s important Australia doesn’t follow the ineffective voluntary approach to gambling marketing that the UK is taking.
We interviewed 11- to 17-year-olds and they told us gambling advertising is so pervasive in their lives, it’s become normalised.
Gambling is increasingly pitched to women and if Netball Australia accepts sports betting sponsors, younger girls will be next.
With perhaps months stuck at home due to coronavirus, gamblers may be tempted to engage more heavily in online betting. New regulations are urgently needed to restrict online bet sizes and credit card use.
