A new poll by RedBridge reveals overwhelming public support for a full ban on gambling advertising in Australia. With anger growing over inaction, voters are drawing connections between gambling, social harm, and the cost-of-living crisis. Political leaders risk losing support if they fail to act on this issue.

🧒 Kids targeted Parents are increasingly worried about gambling ads targeting children through sports, social media, and gamification

😡 Anger rising Inaction on gambling reform is fuelling growing anger, especially in regional and poorer communities, threatening political support for Labor

📈 Problem increasing Gambling losses are rising across Australia, with sports betting doubling in the past five years and nearly one million Australians at risk of gambling addiction

🚔 Crime links Studies show a direct link between gambling profits and rising crime rates, including theft and fraud, particularly in NSW

🔓 Loophole Voters see the government’s proposed partial ban on gambling ads as a loophole that big gambling will exploit

Donate today to help us continue the fight and #ProtectOurKids https://www.agr.org.au/donate

As increasing numbers of Australians as young as 10 are being harmed by gambling, online gaming is emerging as a significant factor fuelling harm. This exposure normalises gambling at an early age, making it easier for kids to transition to more harmful forms of gambling later on.

Matthew was a young man when he nearly lost his life to gambling. “I can’t imagine a single reason for not banning [gambling advertising],” his father, Vincent, said.

Donate today to help us continue the fight and #ProtectOurKids: https://www.agr.org.au/donate

3 in 4 kids think gambling is a normal part of sport.

It’s time to show them it isn’t.

If you’re concerned about the impacts of gambling ads on children, join us and take action today.

Alliance CEO Martin Thomas appeared on Channel 9 to discuss the Grattan Report's recent recommendations to combat gambling harm. The report suggests a multi-pronged strategy, including:

🚫 Banning all gambling advertising and inducements
⚔️ Cutting the number of pokies in each state over time
💻 Introducing a mandatory pre-commitment system for online gambling, with daily, monthly, and annual limits on losses
📊 Introducing mandatory pre-commitment for pokies in every state and territory, with daily, monthly, and annual limits on losses

Martin Thomas stated: "Australia has been the wild west when it comes to gambling... A full ban is the way to go, a partial ban is just a loophole. And introducing loss limits on poker machines would reduce gambling harm immensely."

#GamblingReform #GrattanReport #ProtectOurKids #EndGamblingAds

A new political advocacy group, Muslim Votes Matter, has launched a national campaign to amplify the voices of Muslim Australians on critical issues, including gambling and domestic violence, ahead of the next federal election. The group aims to influence outcomes in 32 federal seats, particularly those with significant Muslim populations. Although not fielding candidates or providing financial backing, Muslim Votes Matter will support candidates whose values align with its priorities, such as addressing gambling, a major concern.

Act Now: Help End Gambling Ads—Contact Your MP Today! https://www.agr.org.au/end-gambling-ads-aug

#ProtectOurKids #ProtectOurCommunities #EndGamblingAds

Australians lose an average of $1600 a year to gambling, more than anywhere else in the world, with poker machines making up half of this.

The country’s “lax approach” to gambling has caused harm to hundreds of thousands of people, including financial and mental distress, relationship breakdown, family violence, and suicide, according to a study by leading think tank, the Grattan Institute.

Alliance for Gambling Reform advocate Tim Costello said state and federal governments must stand up to vested interests and do more to reduce gambling harm in Australia.

“Our record gambling losses are not due to culture; they are due to failed regulation,” he said.

More in The Age: https://www.theage.com.au/national/these-charts-show-why-australians-are-the-world-s-biggest-losers-20240904-p5k7qq.html

Read the Grattan Institute report: https://grattan.edu.au/report/a-better-bet-how-australia-should-prevent-gambling-harm/

Protect Our Kids: Donate to the Alliance Today and help us End Gambling Advertising.