Independent Member for Clark, Andrew Wilkie, has welcomed the recommendation by a parliamentary inquiry to ban all ads for online gambling, but urges the Government to go further.
“The inquiry’s 31 recommendations on limiting gambling harm are a welcome development,” Mr Wilkie said. “The banning of all online gambling advertising within three years is especially valuable as it will go a long way to help curb the negative influence of gambling.
“However, the Government must go a step further and implement these changes as quickly as possible. Three years is far too long to continue allowing gambling advertising to fester in our community.
“The community has had a gutful of gambling being promoted and normalised through advertising. Too often people, including children, are bombarded with targeted advertising campaigns on television, billboards and worst of all, their phones. You can’t even sit down to watch a footy match without being told the latest multi. They are everywhere and are essentially grooming young people for future gambling addiction.
“There is a widespread appetite in the community for reform that genuinely minimises the human cost of gambling addiction. I’ve heard hundreds of devastating stories from constituents about the toll it has on people’s finances, relationships and mental wellbeing. The Government must now move quickly to implement the inquiry’s recommendations.”