IN THE NEWS

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

Marginal Seat ‘Swarm’ to Pressure Albanese Government to Act to Protect Our Kids

The Alliance for Gambling Reform is launching a targeted campaign to pressure the government into banning gambling ads, focusing on three key marginal Labor seats—Parramatta, Bennelong, and Gilmore—where electoral margins are tight. These ads will run during the NRL and AFL finals, some of the most-watched events of the year, aiming to capture public attention.

“We want to send a message to government and decision makers in key electorates that gambling advertising has no role in society; it needs to end. We believe that campaigning in these areas, to begin with, will show the government that Australians want an end to gambling ads.” Alliance CEO Martin Thomas said.

Australians want to #ProtectOurKids, with 72% supporting a ban. The Alliance hopes to prompt decisive action from the government - before polling consequences occur.

Your support is crucial—consider making a donation to help us sustain the pressure. https://www.agr.org.au/donate

Read our Media Release: https://www.agr.org.au/agr-media-releases/campaign-to-end-gambling-ads-targets-footy-finals

This week in Federal Parliament, the Government is expected to address the issue of banning online gambling ads. New polling shows 72% of Australians support a total ban. The Albanese Government faces pressure from its backbench for drafting a policy that contradicts recommendations from its own inquiry into gambling harms. Members of the party pushing back—Jodie Belyea, Mike Freelander, Louise Miller-Frost, Maria Vamvakinou, and Jerome Laxale—are all supporting a ban. And they have the support of the public.

Will Anthony Albanese #ProtectOurKids?

Social Services Minister Amanda Rishworth has confirmed that a national online gambling regulator is not on Labor’s agenda. The proposal to establish a regulator was among the 32 recommendations made by the parliamentary inquiry into the harms of gambling, led by the late Labor MP Peta Murphy. It was was outlined as a priority in the report. However, the Albanese government isn't pursuing it.

Read our open letter to the government urging them to #EndGamblingAds: https://www.agr.org.au/open-letter-to-the-prime-minister-oppo

#ProtectOurKids #ProtectOurCommunities #EndGamblingAds

This is Unbelievable!

When Tabcorp realised one of its customers might have been facing gambling harm, they didn’t offer help—they offered MORE money to keep them gambling.

This has to stop. It’s time to take action.

Urge your MP to support a ban on gambling ads NOW! Let’s put an end to this madness. #EndGamblingAds #ProtectOurKids #TakeAction

Steve Cavenagh called out a misleading statement made by Kai Cantwell from the sports gambling industry lobby group in Australia on ABC Radio National. Kai Cantwell claimed, “In Norway, for example, the illegal offshore market is now 66% of the entire market in Sweden… And this is a result of directly overregulation in the Wagering space.”

To get the facts straight, Steve spoke with Stein Langberget, Special Advisor on regulatory affairs to the CEO of Norway's state-owned monopoly gambling operator.

The truth? No surprise—it was wrong.

Langberget clarified: “No, the Norwegian legal offering is 90% in total. And when it comes to sports, it's even bigger. 94% of all customers who gamble on sport, they gamble at no shipping at the moment.”

Steve summed it up: “So only 6% in the sports betting market is offshore illegal betting.”

Langberget confirmed: “That's correct.”

Don't believe everything you hear—especially when the facts paint a very different picture. Protect Our Kids: Write to Your MP Today to End Gambling Advertising. https://www.agr.org.au/end-gambling-ads-aug

#FactCheck #EndGamblingAds #ProtectOurKids

There are moments in every prime minister’s life where they face real tests. How they respond in those moments indelibly shapes their government’s future, and their legacy as either a true leader or a partisan plodder.

For John Howard, the test came just a few weeks into his first term of government, following the Port Arthur massacre. Taking on the gun lobby - Howard held firm on what he believed was right for the country. Far from dividing the party, he went on to lead for 11 years, serving three more terms as prime minister.

Almost three decades later, Anthony Albanese is now facing a test of his own with the gambling industry. A parliamentary inquiry commissioned by the prime minister and led by the late MP Peta Murphy has offered a clear solution to the growing national crisis that is gambling addiction. An extraordinarily broad coalition supports that solution – from all sides of politics, business, sports, media and even Howard. Even 53 per cent of Australians support a total ban.

So, will Albanese accept the bipartisan recommendation for a complete ban on gambling ads, or will he reject it and opt to keep the peace with an industry enjoying open season on our children?

More with Alliance Chief Advocate Tim Costello in the Sydney Morning Herald:
#EndGamblingAds #ProtectOurChildren

Australia's largest gambling company Tabcorp has been fined $4.6 million and ordered to "transform its operations" after being found to have repeatedly breached Victoria's gambling code.

The Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC) found Tabcorp failed to adequately train staff in responsible gambling and sent direct marketing materials to a customer who had opted out.

Do we really need any more reasons to #BanGamblingAds?

The Prime Minister and senior ministers are claiming that banning gambling ads would kill free-to-air TV. Ben Fordham on 2GB fact-checked this statement: “Bill Shorten says that we need gambling ads for free-to-air TV to stay on air. Now, we've looked into this claim, and we think Bill is exaggerating. In the 2024 financial year, free-to-air and catch-up TV recorded revenues of $3.3 billion, according to the Australian Communications and Media Authority. Gambling ads made up about $160 million of that $3.3 billion. So, that means only 5% of all free-to-air TV revenue comes from gambling ads…”

“Liberal Senator Jane Hume says banning gambling ads is not the Australian way. Well, wasn’t it once the Australian way to allow cigarette companies to market their deadly products however they wanted? Didn’t we decide to change the Australian way for the benefit of future generations? So, why should gambling be any different?”

We agree Ben.

The financial loss from gambling is obvious, but the true cost runs much deeper. Such losses can lead to chronic health and mental health issues, family breakups, and partner violence.

𝗗𝗶𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄?
🔹 Gambling increases both the frequency and severity of family violence.
🔹 Violence is 3 times more likely in families where there is problem gambling.
🔹 Women with a partner who is experiencing gambling harm are 10 times more likely to experience violence, and this his risk skyrockets to 50 times if alcohol is involved.

Micaela Cronin, Domestic, Family, and Sexual Violence Commissioner, highlighted the importance of this issue at a recent press club address:

“It is an important conversation that we are having, and I am pleased to see the advocacy that is happening around gambling restrictions and how much greater community conversation about understanding the impact that gambling has on family, domestic, and sexual violence. The impact that drug and alcohol does and what we can do as a community to address that.” https://www.agr.org.au/news/reaping-the-whirlwind-of-a-new-generation-hooked-on-gambling

Let’s keep the conversation going and advocate for stronger measures to protect our communities. Stand with us—your donation can make a significant impact. https://www.agr.org.au/donate

A growing number of voices from across the spectrum are uniting against the proliferation of gambling ads, with the Alliance for Gambling Reform's open letter to the government and opposition helping to bring them together. Current and former politicians, from Labor MPs like Mike Freelander to ex-Prime Ministers John Howard and Malcolm Turnbull, are calling for stricter regulations. Even within the gambling industry, companies like Tabcorp support an outright ban. Public health experts from Deakin and Monash Universities have also voiced concerns. This broad coalition—spanning political lines, industry insiders, and health professionals—signals a growing consensus that gambling ads are out of control and that stronger regulation is urgently needed.

📢 Discover our open letter to the government pushing to #EndGamblingAds. https://www.agr.org.au/agr-media-releases/powerful-alliance-throws-weight-behind-gambling-ad-ban

Your contribution matters—donate now to help us maintain the pressure. https://www.agr.org.au/donate

We're keeping up the pressure with our open letter to the federal government and opposition, calling for a ban on gambling advertising. This crucial effort aims to protect vulnerable communities from the harmful effects of gambling ads.

Read our open letter and media release here: https://www.agr.org.au/agr-media-releases/powerful-alliance-throws-weight-behind-gambling-ad-ban

Together, we can put an end to gambling ads. Donate today to help us achieve this goal. https://www.agr.org.au/donate

#EndGamblingAds

Terry Slevin, CEO of the Public Health Association of Australia, signed our open letter calling on the government to end gambling advertisements. Terry explains why public health and gambling harm are so "fundamentally connected" and highlights the impact of gambling on health, suicide, and family violence. Jump to 1:39:55

Read our open letter and media release here:

Together, we can put an end to gambling ads. Donate today to help us achieve this goal. #EndGamblingAds

Alliance CEO Martin Thomas stated, "A total ban on all gambling advertising is essential to stop gambling companies from targeting our children." This sentiment is echoed by a coalition of more than 60 prominent figures, including former Prime Ministers John Howard and Malcolm Turnbull, and former state premiers Dominic Perrottet, Jeff Kennett, and Steve Bracks. The coalition is advocating for the full implementation of gambling reforms recommended in a landmark review led by the late Labor MP Peta Murphy.

The "You Win Some, You Lose More" review, published in 2023, put forward 31 recommendations, including a complete ban on gambling advertising within three years.

Stand with us in our mission to #EndGamblingAds. Your donation today can help us make an impact! https://www.agr.org.au/donate

Read our open letter and media release here: https://www.agr.org.au/agr-media-releases/powerful-alliance-throws-weight-behind-gambling-ad-ban

A new shareholder activism campaign has been launched that targets media companies Nine Entertainment and Seven West in an effort to stop them taking advertisements from gambling companies.

The Alliance for Gambling Reform has joined forces with activist share trading platform Sustainable Investment Exchange (SIX) to use investor power to stop gambling ads at Australia’s big media companies.

Please remember to seek independent financial advice before making any investment decisions.

The Alliance's open letter – signed by more than 60 prominent Australians – went live in newspapers across Australia this morning, including The Age, The Sydney Morning Herald, and the Financial Review.

The letter urged the Federal Government and Opposition to adopt all gambling reforms championed by late Labor MP Peta Murphy as she chaired the Federal Inquiry into Online Gambling. "I have never seen such deep cross-party support to protect our young people and to stop the normalisation of gambling in sport," said our Chief Advocate Tim Costello on ABC Radio National:

You can read our open letter and media release here: https://www.agr.org.au/agr-media-releases/powerful-alliance-throws-weight-behind-gambling-ad-ban

Help us as we fight to #EndGamblingAds - donate today: https://www.agr.org.au/donate

Former prime minister John Howard has joined dozens of prominent Australians united with the Alliance to call for a blanket ban on gambling advertising, urging Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to “show leadership” in outlawing it as tobacco promotion was in the 1970s.

“It’s just everywhere. I mean, I follow a lot of sport: I watch rugby league, I watch cricket, I watch the Olympics, I watch it all, and it’s just everywhere. It’s too much,” Howard said in an interview.

Read The Alliance's open letter open letter, signed by more than 60 prominent Australians: https://www.agr.org.au/open-letter-to-the-prime-minister-oppo

A powerful alliance of former prime ministers and premiers, MPs, union leaders, sport, business, health, union and faith figures, academics, writers, social justice advocates and social service groups have called on the Federal Government and the Opposition to commit to banning all gambling advertising within three years.

The Alliance's open letter – signed by more than 60 prominent Australians including former prime ministers John Howard and Malcolm Turnbull, Lucy Turnbull, former NSW premier Dominic Perrottet, and former Victorian premiers Jeff Kennett and Steve Bracks – urged the Federal Government and Opposition to adopt all gambling reforms championed by late Labor MP Peta Murphy as she chaired the Federal Inquiry into Online Gambling.

Former Prime Minister John Howard said: “Many Australians are alarmed about the proliferation of gambling advertising on our screens and the mounting losses through gambling. I believe gambling losses are responsible for enormous harm across the community.”

Read our Media Release: https://www.agr.org.au/agr-media-releases/powerful-alliance-throws-weight-behind-gambling-ad-ban

Alliance CEO Martin Thomas and ABC Perth’s Nadia Mitsopoulos discuss media reports that indicate that the Federal Government has decided not to implement the Murphy Report's recommendations.

“Australians lose 25 billion dollars every year to gambling, and we have talked a lot about the cost-of-living crisis. If you rip 25 billion dollars out of communities across Australia, what we see is increased mental health issues, increased financial hardship, and marriage breakups. There's evidence that domestic violence goes up, and there are even some reports that up to 20% of all suicides in Australia can be linked to gambling. This is not harmless entertainment. For many people, it changes their lives and ruins their lives.” He said.

Australians lose over $25 billion annually to gambling, making it the highest per capita spend worldwide. Media reports indicate that the Federal Government has decided not to implement the Murphy Report's recommendations, which include a phased-in ban on all gambling advertising. The Murphy Report received unanimous support from inquiry members across the political spectrum, emphasising the need for the government to honor its findings. This issue is gaining significant media traction, with calls for the government to take action and address the growing concerns about gambling's impact. The decision not to adopt the report's recommendations has sparked widespread criticism and debate over the government's stance on gambling advertising.

The Tasmanian government announced plans to implement pre-commitment, card-based gambling on poker machines by the end of 2024, following a recommendation from the Tasmanian Liquor and Licensing Commission.

Under the new legislation games featuring in-game purchases linked to elements of chance – like loot boxes – will get a minimum classification of ‘M’, or mature, meaning they are not recommended for children under 15. But the Alliance for Gambling Reform, wants an R18+ classification on these games as the Alliance states “We are effectively enabling underage kids to gamble at a very early age.”

The Alliance for Gambling Reform blamed weak advertising and consumer protection laws for the promotions it says are carefully designed to make customers believe they are placing “safer” bets and that a win is more likely.

Alliance for Gambling Reform chief advocate Tim Costello said there is no need for a trial.

“The evidence is overwhelming that cashless gaming works,” Reverend Costello said.

“The 1999 Productivity Commission report recommended the introduction of mandatory cashless cards.

“Canberra always boasts about how progressive it is, but it’s still dragging its feet for 25 years on cashless gaming.

“ACT and NSW Labor have $120 million of assets in pokies clubs. It’s the most obvious and horrible conflict.”

We know the AFL and NRL have opened their arms wide to gambling. We know this was the exact opposite of The Football Association in the United Kingdom that, four years ago, refused the rivers of gold from sports betting sponsorships in order to protect children. We know that gambling is now so entrenched it is changing the way people, especially young people, follow sport. The odds of each team are routinely quoted and parents are left struggling to explain to their young children what a ‘multi’ is.

The findings were released by Alliance for Gambling Reform and come on the one-year anniversary of a parliamentary report which called for stronger regulations around online gambling advertising, among other recommendations. Martin Thomas, the Interim CEO of Alliance for Gambling Reform, described the numbers in the research as “huge”, saying they highlight a “predatory online gambling industry” that is “ensnaring a whole new generation into gambling.” Thomas pointed to the “inescapable torrent” gambling ads as having a “normalising” effect on betting, and said advertising is “grooming children and young people to gamble”.

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 ban on gambling advertising on sports grounds and player jerseys could be announced within weeks. However, Social Services Minister Amanda Rishworth has confirmed that a national online gambling regulator is not on Labor’s agenda. She has also suggested a limit on gambling ads instead of a ban, which members of the Labor party itself have resisted, with Jodie Belyea, Mike Freelander, Louise Miller-Frost, Maria Vamvakinou and Jerome Laxale, supporting a ban.

Take Action: Urge Your MP to Support a End to Gambling Ads! https://www.agr.org.au/end-gambling-ads-aug

#ProtectOurKids #ProtectOurCommunities #EndGamblingAds

The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) and the Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP) have united to call for stronger regulations on gambling-related harm in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand. Their statement emphasises the urgent need to ban gambling ads on TV and online, address barriers to seeking help, and improve the diagnosis and treatment of harmful gambling behaviours.

#ProtectOurKids #ProtectOurCommunities #EndGamblingAds

John, one of the Alliance's #VoicesForGamblingReform, gave an outstanding interview on #ABCRadioNational, truly hitting the mark and explaining the current state of gambling reform in Australia. He appeared on #ABCRadioNational with Steve Cannane.

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

Disturbing new stats from the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, published in the journal Addiction, reveal a worrying trend: as gambling profits soar across NSW, so does crime.

The research shows that for every 10% increase in gambling expenditure, crime rates rise dramatically:

⚠️ 7.4% increase in assaults
🏠 10.5% increase in break-ins and thefts from homes
🏢 10.3% increase in break-ins and thefts from businesses
🚗 11% increase in motor vehicle thefts
🔧 8.2% increase in stealing from motor vehicles
💳 7.4% increase in fraud

Renowned criminologist Don Weatherburn, the paper’s lead author, warns that the entire community “suffers from Australia’s love affair with gambling.”

It's time to confront the true cost of gambling and take action to protect our communities: Write to Your MP Today to End Gambling Advertising. https://www.agr.org.au/end-gambling-ads-aug

#GamblingReform #ProtectOurCommunities #EndTheHarm #ProtectOurKids

John, one of the Alliance's #VoicesForGamblingReform, gave an outstanding interview on ABC Radio National, truly hitting the mark and explaining the current state of gambling reform in Auatralia. He appeared on #ABCRadioNational with Steve Cannane.

Steve: "What about the ban on ads? Why do you think that's important? Because so far, the Albanese government are saying, look, if we restrict them, if we have two an hour, if we keep them out of the children's time slot after school - that is a legitimate way of moving forward."

"No. Look, I can't understand why we wouldn't have a blanket ban. The advertising is normalising gambling to our kids and it's grooming our kids as the next generation of punters. I've read the same thing in the paper about the cap to a couple of ads an hour and so forth. But the government needs to ask itself, does it want to protect the gambling companies’ profits with a watered-down approach to restricting advertising, or does it want to step up and protect our kids by providing a full ban on sports gambling advertising?"

"You know, the precedents been set. We all survived the total ban on tobacco advertising. We could see that that smoking was bad for our health. Well, I can tell you that gambling is just as addictive and can be just as bad on our mental health and well-being."

"Why would we want to continue to advertise a product that can be so destructive? It's not just the financial losses, it's the suicides, the family violence, the crime, the family breakups. It's not okay to pretend it doesn't happen, and it can be extremely addictive for someone like myself."

A panel of domestic violence experts has urged the Australian government to implement a total ban on gambling advertising and enforce stricter regulations on pokies to protect women from violence. This recommendation, part of a review commissioned by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, follows a series of female killings. The experts, including Anne Summers, highlighted how “men’s gambling harms can create situations that heighten the risk of intimate partner violence” and “can also be used to perpetuate financial abuse post-separation.”

This is further evidence that the Albanese Government must implement all 31 recommendations of the Murphy Report following a parliamentary inquiry into online gambling.

Read the report here: https://www.pmc.gov.au/sites/default/files/resource/download/unlocking-prevention-potential.pdf

Research from the Australia Institute shows that a small 1.4% levy on gambling revenue could replace all the income currently spent on gambling ads across TV, radio, and digital platforms. A 2% levy could fully compensate the media for any lost revenue from a total ban on these ads.

With 38% of Australians gambling weekly and nearly half at risk of harm, how can the government keep turning a blind eye? The stats are clear—it's time for decisive action to protect our communities. Read our open letter here: https://www.agr.org.au/open-letter-to-the-prime-minister-oppo

#EndGamblingAds #ProtectOurKids #ProtectCommunities

The Australian Medical Association is urging the federal government to implement a complete ban on online gambling ads within three years, in line with the Murphy Report.

AMA President Professor Steve Robson labeled recent media reports suggesting the government is considering implementing a partial ban as extremely disappointing.

“Anything less than a comprehensive ban on online gambling advertising will do nothing to protect Australians falling into the grips of gambling addiction,” Professor Robson said.

“If you give these betting companies any kind of wriggle room with advertisements, they will exploit it. We saw this with the vaping industry, and similar scenes are now playing out with gambling.”

Surely the government cannot disregard Australia's leading medical experts. How many more associations and public figures must advocate before this change is made?

The gambling industry is pulling out all the stops to resist a ban on gambling ads, using the same tired tactics we've seen before. Just recently, the AFL claimed that banning gambling ads would threaten Auskick. Despite their government funding and big-bank sponsors, they want us to believe kids' sports are at risk. Or how about the broadcasters predicting the end of free-to-air TV if we cut gambling ads, even though regional TV gets just a fraction of that revenue?

Then there’s the claim that a ban would push people to illegal betting sites—a stretch with no solid evidence. This all feels eerily similar to the scare tactics used by the tobacco and alcohol industries in the past, where exaggerated job losses and economic doom were threatened. We know how those turned out. Don’t be fooled by the gambling industry's misdirection. #GamblingReform #ProtectOurKids

📢 We’ve sent an open letter to the government demanding action to #EndGamblingAds. Stand with us—your donation can make a significant impact.

"We're being softened up and pummelled by the gambling industry," warns Labor MP Mike Freelander, expressing frustration over the government's move to weaken gambling ad reforms. Freelander also criticised the government for briefing lobbyists before its own members on a proposed partial ban on gambling ads.

Tim Costello echoed these concerns, accusing the government of "putting the finger on the scales" to favor the gambling industry during consultations.

📢 Read our open letter to the government urging them to #EndGamblingAds:
Your support makes a difference—help us keep up the pressure with a donation.

#EndGamblingAds #ProtectFamilies #PublicHealthFirst

"When seven-year-olds are drawing gambling logos rather than their favourite player taking a “specky” or scoring a try, Australia, we’ve got a problem.

Ban all gambling ads, and let the kids once again dream about playing the games they love, not playing the odds.

It’s the right thing to do."

Read MP Zoe Daniel's powerful article in Financial Review

Zoe signed our open letter asking the goverment and opposition to take action to #EndGambling ads, you can read it here: https://www.agr.org.au/agr-media-releases/powerful-alliance-throws-weight-behind-gambling-ad-ban

Together, we can put an end to gambling ads and protect our kids. Donate today to help us achieve this goal. https://www.agr.org.au/donate

Dr Hannah Pitt’s new research looking at young people’s attitudes to gambling harms reveals Australian teens feel strongly about the lack of action by government to protect them from a relentless flow of marketing relating to gambling and betting.

‘We asked our young people what they would say to the Prime Minister about gambling marketing if they had the opportunity,’ Dr Pitt said.

‘They believe governments aren’t acting quickly enough and that a lack of action was having a negative impact on their lives.’

Read more with Deakin.

You can help us keep the pressure up on the government by making a donation today: https://www.agr.org.au/donate

The Alliance's new CEO, Martin Thomas, is making impressive strides just weeks into his new role. With a proven track record of national leadership, Martin is now bringing his expertise to the gambling harm space.

With over 20 years of experience in the for-purpose sector, he has held key roles at Mission Australia, World Vision Australia, and UNICEF Australia. Before that, he was a senior journalist and editor.

Read all about his inspiring journey with ProBono Australia.

#ChangeMaker #Leadership #SocialImpact

Rod Glover the widower of late Labor MP Peta Murphy has made an emotional plea for the government to 'put people first' and outlaw gambling advertisements, declaring his late wife would not stomach the argument that reform was too hard because of lost revenue for media companies and sports.

The Alliance's open letter – signed by more than 60 prominent Australians urged the Federal Government and Opposition to adopt all gambling reforms championed by late Labor MP Peta Murphy as she chaired the Federal Inquiry into Online Gambling.

Join our fight to #EndGamblingAds by donating today. Your support makes a difference!: https://www.agr.org.au/donate

Our Open letter is all over the news. The open letter to Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton calls for the "tsunami" of gambling ads on screens to be phased out within three years. (CH9 Link)

More than 70 prominent Australians, including former prime ministers and premiers, union leaders and medical experts, have signed an open letter calling on the federal government to ban gambling advertising. https://www.agr.org.au/agr-media-releases/powerful-alliance-throws-weight-behind-gambling-ad-ban

Stand with us in our mission to #EndGamblingAds. Your donation today can help us make an impact! https://www.agr.org.au/donate

"With an election on the horizon the government is nervous and it has been lobbied furiously by the gambling industry, media networks and the major sporting codes who have all entwined themselves to line their pockets and bombard us with endless gambling ads across our screens." Alliance CEO Martin Thomas.

"Anything short of fully implementing a complete phase out will be seen an insult to the memory of the late Labor MP Peta Murphy, whose bipartisan committee was lauded for the work it did looking into the harm the sports gambling sector can cause."

There's still time to steady the ship. The Albanese government needs to do the right thing: honour Peta's legacy and #EndGamblingAds.

Roy Morgan Research revealed some alarming gambling statistics. Interviews with about 16,000 Australians showed:

- The number of people betting on sports has doubled in five years.
- Over a third of sports gambling spend comes from those experiencing gambling harm.
- Half of gambling industry profits from 12 percent of gamblers.

Alliance CEO Martin Thomas discusses the report on 2ser.

Media reports the Federal Government’s will not honour the recommendations of the Murphy report by rejecting recommendations to impose a phased-in ban on all gambling advertising is ‘bitterly disappointing’.

But the Alliance has welcomed a potential crackdown on social media gambling advertising as ‘significant’ and again urged the government to implement all 31 recommendations of the Murphy Report.

It follows media reports that the Communications Minister, Michelle Rowland, will take to Cabinet a proposal to cap gambling ads on TV to two ads per hour on each channel and to ban ads an hour before and after live sport. It was also reported it would impose a blanket ban on betting ads on social media and other digital platforms.

The Chief Executive of the Alliance for Gambling Reform, Martin Thomas, said the evidence shows putting limits on the number and timing of gambling adverts was doomed to fail.

“We hope these reports are not true. The government still has time to do the right thing to ban all gambling ads. Certainly, a proposed ban on social media gambling advertising is a step in the right direction.”

Most children or young people have never watched sport without hearing about the odds, and 30 per cent of children have gambled before the age of 18. "Events like the Olympic Games and big sporting events draw people to gamble. It's a trigger for those who are at risk of gambling," Said Professor Baigent of the Statewide Gambling Therapy Service.

Our Media Release: https://www.agr.org.au/agr-media-releases/gambling-ads-must-not-feature-in-olympic-coverage-

Alliance Chief Advocate Tim Costello Spoke with Remy Naughten on 2ser107.3
Tim explained that we want to see all 31 recommendations of the Murphy report implemented which includes a gambling ad ban, the implementation of a national regulator, the end of inducement offers, and more.

Alliance for Gambling Reform, Chief Advocate Tim Costello says it’s “absolutely doable” for real-time feedback on wins and losses to be provided to users. Mr Costello is part of the push to change the way betting agencies treat their customers, telling Heidi Murphy all the technology already exists to help people track how much they’re winning and losing while betting after a businessman in Western Australia put forward the idea.

in the 2022-23 financial year, Queenslanders lost more than more than $5 billion to gambling — of which about $3.2 billion was lost through poker machines.

Alliance for Gambling Reform interim chief executive Martin Thomas said his organisation was opposed to the proposal to increase the cap on gaming machines at clubs with multiple sites.

Roy Morgan polling of 16,000 Australians found 15.5% had bet on sport in the 12 months to March. It also revealed problem gamblers made up almost 20% of some sports betting companies’ customer base. The results were released on Tuesday by the Alliance for Gambling Reform to mark the first anniversary of a major parliamentary report calling for a ban on online gambling ads and making other recommendations. The group’s Interim CEO, Martin Thomas said: “These are huge numbers and they highlight how a predatory online gambling industry is ensnaring a whole new generation into gambling.

The finding came on the same day anti-gambling group the Alliance for Gambling Reform released research showing more young men are betting on sport than ever. "These are huge numbers and they highlight how a predatory online gambling industry is ensnaring a whole new generation into gambling," Alliance for Gambling Reform Interim CEO Martin Thomas said.

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.

The Greens will move a non-legally binding motion in the Legislative Assembly calling for Labor to cut ties with the club and donate the amount the party says Labor historically received in donations from revenue linked to poker machines.

Andrew Braddock, the Greens member Yerrabi who will move the motion, said vested interests had prevented Labor from taking meaningful action to reduce gambling harm.

Mr Braddock's motion will call on Labor to sever ties with the Labor Clubs, which operate 12 per cent of the ACT's poker machines and donate $6.1 million to the Alliance for Gambling Reform.

#ProtectOurKids #ProtectOurCommunities #EndGamblingAds

Australia lacks strong laws and oversight to regulate the gambling industry. Governments at all levels hesitate to control its growing influence, even as online operators increasingly target household finances with advanced technologies. The reason is simple: governments rely heavily on the revenue gambling generates. This dependency allows the industry to go largely unchecked, leading to more harm for Australians.

Protect Our Kids: Write to Your MP Today to End Gambling Advertising. https://www.agr.org.au/end-gambling-ads-aug

#ProtectOurKids #ProtectOurCommunities #EndGamblingAds

Groundbreaking research from Gambling Research Australia and Central Queensland University reveals the impact of wagering direct marketing on gambling behaviour. The study provides real-world evidence showing a causal link between exposure to gambling ads and increased gambling and related harms.

Key findings:
🎯 23% fewer bets placed by those who opted out of direct marketing
💸 39% reduction in betting expenditure
🚫 67% fewer short-term harms reported

Stop the Harm: Call on Your MP to Ban Gambling Ads Now! https://www.agr.org.au/end-gambling-ads-aug

#GamblingReform #ProtectOurKids #ProtectOurCommunities #EndGamblingAds

John Mahoney from the Australasian Muslim Times reports on growing concerns within the Muslim community about the pervasive influence of gambling. He underscores the conflict between deeply held religious beliefs and the societal pressures that normalise gambling, particularly within Muslim communities in Australia.

Mahoney emphasises that the struggle against gambling is more than just a personal or religious challenge; it's a pressing societal issue that demands collective action. The impact of gambling is real, affecting not only individuals but entire communities.

Now is the time to address this urgent issue and protect our values. Take a stand and urge your MP to support a ban on gambling ads: https://www.agr.org.au/end-gambling-ads-aug

#GamblingReform #ProtectOurCommunities #EndGamblingAds #ProtectOurKids

Amy, #VoiceForGamblingReform and powerful advocate for those affected by gambling - shares the devastating impact it had on her family. Her brother, Sam, grew up in a community where gambling was just part of life - so much so that it became a regular conversation at home. Amy (a pseudonym) recalls how the normalisation of gambling led to Sam’s harm, ultimately resulting in him taking his own life. “It just destroyed him physically and emotionally,” Amy says. “We tried everything, but we obviously didn’t know how bad it was - it crushed him.”

Amy is among dozens who testified in a parliamentary inquiry into Australia’s gambling crisis, where Aussies wager more per capita than any other country. Despite growing bipartisan support - including 20 MPs who recently signed an open letter backing a ban on gambling ads- - Prime Minister Albanese’s government is still weighing its options.

For Amy, the delay is incomprehensible. “Anyone who understands this issue would without a doubt agree to a full advertising ban – that’s what the evidence says,” she said. “It feels like these lobbyists own the government… We’re dangling this dangerous product in front of everyone and normalising it, and the worst-case scenario is what happened to us.

“My family – they’ll never recover. It’s not something that you recover from.” Amy said.

You can help prevent others from suffering the same fate. Stop the harm. Call on your MP to end gambling ads now! https://www.agr.org.au/end-gambling-ads-aug

Where gambling co-exists with Domestic and Family Violence, it often escalates the frequency and/or severity of violence. Pair that with the fact that Australians spend more on online gambling than any other country in the world. What does that tell you? Less gambling = less violence.

"Postcodes in Victoria with no electronic gaming machines have 20 per cent fewer family incidents, and 30 per cent fewer domestic violence assaults when compared with postcodes that have 75 electronic gaming machines per 10,000 people."

The Multicultural Communities Council of NSW is raising alarms about the impact of gambling on culturally and linguistically diverse people. According to President Mark Franklin, these communities are more vulnerable to gambling harm, which often carries a heavy stigma, preventing many from seeking help.
He says the ads send the wrong message.

"The form of advertising makes out that advertising is essential to be involved in Australian life and Australian culture, which is certainly very bad example to new migrants. All we want is the government to implement the unanimous decision of the inquiry that all parties agreed on. So, the sooner it accepts its own findings and acts on them, the better."

Alliance CEO Martin Thomas highlighted that Australia sees a million gambling ads annually and called for the government to implement the Murphy report's recommendations, including a phased ban on all gambling advertising over three years.

Your support is vital—donate today to help us continue the fight.

The Australia Institute has proposed a 2% levy on gambling companies' revenue to compensate media outlets for the $240 million loss in advertising income if a total ban on gambling ads is implemented. This levy would replace the current advertising revenue from free-to-air TV, radio, and online platforms. Stephen Long, a senior fellow at the institute, argues that this small percentage of the gambling industry's earnings could offset the financial impact on media companies. Alliance CEO Martin Thomas emphasised that how the Labor government deals with gambling ads will be a crucial test of its commitment to reducing harm. Charles Livingstone criticised the government's piecemeal approach, urging for more comprehensive reforms as recommended by the bipartisan Murphy inquiry.

📢 Check out our open letter to the government, calling for an end to #GamblingAds. Your support is crucial—consider making a donation to help us sustain the pressure.

#EndGamblingAds #ProtectOurKids

As the Albanese government deliberates on implementing a potential ban on gambling advertising, Stewart Kenny, a pioneer in online sports betting, has issued a stark warning.

Speaking to ABC Radio National, Kenny stated, "If you genuinely want to protect children, a total ban is necessary. If the priority is safeguarding bookmakers' profits, then a partial ban will suffice."

Kenny, co-founder of Paddy Power, dismissed claims from the gambling lobby that a total ban would push gambling to offshore illegal providers, calling such arguments "a load of baloney." He candidly admitted that he used to rely on the same rhetoric when he was part of the gambling industry.

Listen to the Full interview: https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/radionational-breakfast/-load-of-baloney-gambling-whistleblower-calls-for-total-ban-/104245298

If the government has suddenly become concerned about the health of media companies and free-to-air TV, then:

1. Why are they changing the anti-siphoning rules to make it easier for subscription services to buy the digital rights to major sports events.
2. Why don’t social media giants like Facebook have to pay traditional media organisations for the news content on its platforms.

There are other ways to find the money to support Australian media. As Greens Senator Sarah Hanson Young commented; “profiting from the misery and addiction of gambling is not the answer”.

📢 Read our open letter to the government urging them to #EndGamblingAds: https://www.agr.org.au/agr-media-releases/powerful-alliance-throws-weight-behind-gambling-ad-ban

Your support makes a difference—help us keep up the pressure with a donation. https://www.agr.org.au/donate

#EndGamblingAds #ProtectFamilies #PublicHealthFirst

Alliance CEO Martin Thomas joins ABC's David Spears to discuss the current state of gambling reform in Australia

“This is really about a legal product – that is an adult product – that does harm, and we really need to regulate it to protect people. Really, the government’s choice now is – to protect Australians versus those vested interests.”

“This is really a once-in-a-generation moment. If we get it right now, we set ourselves on a path that’s much better than if we do it half-baked.”

“I think we are going to look back on this in 10 or 20 years and say – why was it so hard?”

"I think the government has made it harder than they should have by delaying for so long. This is inherently a political decision about political survival versus the good of the public."

Join us in our mission to #EndGamblingAds. Your donation today can help us make a real impact! https://www.agr.org.au/donate

Rebecca Paterson from The Alliance joined Rob Cameron on the #FrontPage. "Our role is to be the voice for those who have experienced gambling harm and to represent a community that is shocked and disgusted by the lack of leadership on this issue."

Join us in our mission to #EndGamblingAds. Your donation today can help us make a real impact! https://www.agr.org.au/donate

"Calls for a blanket ban on gambling advertising – which is backed by prominent figures from a range of political, union, sporting, and community backgrounds – is not about old-fashioned wowserism, nor another far-left Green populist frolic.

It rests on the findings of an inquiry into online gambling, chair by the late Labor MP Peta Murphy that documented the harms – financial losses, family and relationship breakdowns, as well as health problems and mental illness, including elevated risk of suicide. "

Read our open letter and media release here: https://www.agr.org.au/agr-media-releases/powerful-alliance-throws-weight-behind-gambling-ad-ban

Your support can make a real difference! Donate today to help us #EndGamblingAds for good. https://www.agr.org.au/donate

Alliance Voice’s Mark Kempter courageously shared his story on The Project, highlighting the urgent need for action. Tim Costello, Zoe Daniel, Rod Glover, Andrew Wilkie, Rebekha Sharkie, and Jacqui Lambie also featured in the segment, adding their voices to this crucial cause.

Lucy Turnbull passionately explained why she signed The Alliance's Open Letter, emphasising that partial bans are ineffective. She stated, "I think politicians are weary of picking fights with large economic interests – that's just a fact – but it doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t do it. If we are not going to get exactly what was in the Murphy report, it’s a great pity and a huge missed opportunity. We have to keep pushing, and we have to get there."

A big shout-out to the MPs who have joined us in signing the letter, including Rebekha Sharkie, Andrew Wilkie, Zoe Daniel, Senator David Pocock, Kate Chaney, Dr Monique Ryan, Kylea Tink, Allegra Spender, Dai Le MP, Dr Helen Haines, Zali Steggall OAM, Dr Sophie Scamps MP, Senator Sarah Hanson-Young, Senator Lidia Thorpe, Ellen Sandell MP, Samantha Ratnam MP, Katherine Copsey MP, Gabrielle de Vietri MP, Sam Hibbins MP, Sarah Mansfield MP, Aiv Puglielli MP, Tim Read MP, Georgie Purcell MP, David Ettershank MP, and Rachel Payne MP.

You can read our Media Release and Open Letter here: https://www.agr.org.au/agr-media-releases/powerful-alliance-throws-weight-behind-gambling-ad-ban

Stand with us in our mission to #EndGamblingAds. Your donation today can help us make an impact! https://www.agr.org.au/donate

Alliance Chief Advocate Tim Costello, said Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is under "enormous pressure" to deliver on the Murphy inquiry, including from his colleagues.

This comes in response to our open letter endorsing the Murphy inquiry's call for a total ban was signed by former Liberal prime ministers John Howard and Malcolm Turnbull, former Liberal premiers Dominic Perrottet and Jeff Kennett and former Labor premier Steve Bracks.

Read our open letter and media release here: https://www.agr.org.au/agr-media-releases/powerful-alliance-throws-weight-behind-gambling-ad-ban

Stand with us in our mission to #EndGamblingAds. Your donation today can help us make an impact! https://www.agr.org.au/donate

The St. Vincent de Paul Society stands firmly with the Alliance in criticizing the Albanese Government’s inadequate response to the parliamentary inquiry on online gambling. The government's actions fall far short of implementing all 31 recommendations from Peta Murphy's report. It must stop ignoring public outrage over relentless gambling ads that endanger youth and take robust action now.

“What the government has in mind is half-hearted, half-🍑ed, won’t work and is a betrayal of Peta Murphy’s legacy”. - Zoe Daniel MP

The Alliance for Gambling Reform stresses the importance of transparency and urges the government to prioritise accountability and the public's best interests.

We would all like to see the implementation of the Murphy Report's reccomendations which include a comprehensive ban on all forms of advertising for online gambling’.

Join this virtual lunch and learn as Tim Costello from the Alliance for Gambling Reform joins SIX co-founder and CEO Adam Verwey, along with other campaign partners, to discuss a movement of investors and organisations using our collective power to push big companies to do better.

Please remember to seek independent financial advice before making any investment decisions.

Aino Suomi, director of ANU’s centre for gambling research, says all that advertising is working; more people are turning to online gambling platforms, where betting is more frequent and riskier.

Tim Costello of the Alliance, said the figures expose how sports betting ads are creating a new generation of gamblers.

The Alliance are waiting for the federal government to respond to Peta Murphy's multipartisan parliamentary inquiry last year that called for a comprehensive ban on online betting ads that would be phased in over three years.

"Callum hasn't placed a wager in over a year, yet Sportsbet bombards him with almost daily text messages, trying to lure him back."

If the 31 recommendations of Peta Murphy's report were implemented, we could curb these predatory gambling inducements and prevent more stories like Callum's from becoming common.

"Our kids are being mainstreamed into gambling and sport, normalised to expect that gambling, AFL, and NRL go together. It's utter regulatory and policy failure, and our kids and young men are the main victims," said Alliance Chief Advocate Rev. Tim Costello.

With our new CEO, Martin Thomas, in place, The Alliance for Gambling Reform is more ready than ever to push for the implementation of the Murphy Report and take on gambling reform.

Alliance For Gambling Reform CEO, Martin Thomas took aim at the Albanese Government for “sitting on” a report into online gambling by late Labor MP Peta Murphy for more than a year, and failing to act on its recommendations which include stronger sanctions for companies and individuals known to profit from illegal gambling. “We believe the recommendations of the Murphy report are so important for the government to implement,” Mr Thomas said. “We have millions of Australians losing far too much money, because we just do not have enough regulation.”

Backed by prominent anti-gambling campaigner Tim Costello and independent MP Zoe Daniel, the proposal would require online gambling portals to show their clients’ win-loss record on the home screen of their tablet, phone or computer, for the past week, month, year and since the account was open.

New research by the Alliance for Gambling Reform shows the number of people betting on sport has doubled in five years, with problem gamblers placing 34 per cent of the total value of bets. A further 17 per cent were found to be at moderate risk.

The polling implied 3.26 million Australians had made a sports wager in the year to March – more than double the 7% found to have bet between April 2019 and March 2020.

The results were released on Tuesday by the Alliance for Gambling Reform to mark the first anniversary of a major parliamentary report calling for a ban on online gambling ads and making other recommendations.