BLOGS

Currently, the Victorian Legislative Assembly is debating the second tranche of legislation to arise from the Victorian Royal Commission into Crown Casino. It includes changes to separate liquor and gambling regulation, provide the regulator and inspectors with additional powers and most importantly, legislate that minimising harm is a core function of the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC).

Australians are sick of gambling ads - not only are they annoying to watch every ad break, but most importantly they cause harm. We can’t watch a game of sport without being bombarded by gambling ads, and no child under 13 has watched a major sporting event without gambling ads. It needs to change.

All Australians should be able to live their lives free from the harm caused by gambling. But right now we can’t sit down to watch a game of sport without being bombarded by gambling ads. We know that no child under 13 has watched a major sporting event without seeing them. It’s not good enough. That’s why today we’re announcing our platform for the upcoming 2022 federal election.

It has long been argued that politics and sport should not mix. It’s a point passionately argued by both sides and it is an argument that may never be resolved.

Yet one thing we at the Alliance for Gambling Reform are sure about is that gambling and sport do not mix.

Cryptocurrencies are fast emerging into the mainstream as a popular method of investment. Crypto-assets (crypto) such as currencies, coins or tokens are digital assets that do not have a physical form. They are a high-risk investment because they are volatile, often fluctuating huge amounts within a short period. As such, there is a lot of discussion about whether cryptocurrencies and investment trading are classified as gambling. The view that such forms of trading are based on speculation and risk means that it is similar to gambling.

The universal pre-commitment scheme must be implemented in every pub and club, not only the casino. In December 2021, Victorians lost $250 million to poker machines in pubs and clubs in just one month. It’s the highest monthly loss we’ve ever seen and clearly demonstrates the scale of poker machine impact in our communities. Think about what that $250 million might have provided to individuals, families, businesses and communities.