Welcome to our
July 2024
NEWSLETTER
Check out all our latest updates
Message from the CEO
Martin Thomas
CEO
The Olympics are here again and as a nation we celebrate the efforts of our athletes as well as those from across the globe.
Unfortunately the Olympics are also a reminder that whenever we watch sport, we are forced to suffer virtually endless gambling adverts.
While there are some modest restrictions of gambling advertising during live play, there are still enough loopholes to allow a tsunami of ads across our screens. Indeed, more than one million gambling ads have been played on Australian free-to-air television and radio in just a one year period.
But it doesn’t have to be this way. If you haven’t already, please join the more than 35,000 people who have signed our petition calling on the Federal Government to implement all 31 recommendations of the Murphy Report from the Parliamentary Inquiry into Online Gambling which includes a recommendation for a 3 year, phased in ban on all gambling advertising.
The Alliance is also joining with the Sustainable Investment Exchange (SIX) as part of a shareholder activism campaign to pressure Channel’s Seven and Nine to stop airing gambling advertisements. Read about the campaign here.
Finally, I am delighted to write this newsletter as having just been appointed the new CEO of the Alliance for Gambling Reform, after acting in the role for the last few months.
I am humbled to take up this role and thankful for all the support we receive from you.
A very heartfelt thank you.
I hope you enjoy reading this edition of our newsletter. This month, our feature articles are:
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Gambling ads must not feature in Olympic coverage
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35,000 sign petition to end gambling ads
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New campaign to ban gambling ads on Seven and Nine
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A new generation groomed to gamble
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Online inducements leading to riskier gambling
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Review into online keno and offshore lotteries
Stand with the Alliance
Enough is enough, it is time for Australia to introduce major gambling reforms.
Help us continue our fight for an Australia free from
gambling harm.
All donations over $2.00 are tax-deductible.
Thank you for your support.
If you wish to donate via bank transfer,
please contact info@agr.org.au for our bank details.
Gambling ads must not feature in Olympic coverage
The Alliance is putting the Olympics broadcaster, the Nine Network on notice not to breach the advertising code by running gambling ads during its free-to-air and online coverage of the Paris games.
Last Olympics the then broadcaster Seven aired 49 betting promotions during its Olympic coverage on its Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide broadcasts. Kids watching the Olympics don’t need to see gambling ads. Sporting coverage in Australia is already drenched in gambling advertising.
Under the regulations, broadcasters must not show gambling advertising from 5 minutes before the start of the first event of the day until 8:30pm, and not more than once every two hours after that time.
Breaches can be reported to the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) through their gambling advertising online complaint form.
>>>Read more
35,000 sign petition to end gambling ads
More than 35,000 people have signed our petition to ban all gambling advertising and again, we are calling on the Federal Government to adopt all 31 recommendations of the Murphy Report which includes a phased-in, 3-year ban on all gambling advertising.
Gambling advertising makes gambling look exciting and risk-free, but gambling is addictive and harms millions of Australians. The Alliance believes that all Australians should be able to enjoy their favourite sports without gambling ads, however gambling ads are often placed when and where children and teenagers will see them the most.
You can sign the petition to #EndGamblingAds here.
>>>Read more
New campaign to ban gambling ads on Seven and Nine
We believe that Australia’s biggest media companies should not be making money off destructive gambling ads, and earlier this year, the team at Sustainable Investment Exchange (SIX) came on board to help #EndGamblingAds by providing a campaign with a new angle with which to create change: shareholder activism.
Big companies are controlled by their shareholders, and SIX has launched their trading platform to the public and are looking for people to buy shares in Seven and Nine so the shareholders can propose a shareholder resolution to compel Seven and Nine to take action to End Gambling Ads.
SIX need 100 shareholders in each of these companies by the end of August so a shareholder resolution can take place at their next Annual General Meeting. You can learn more about the SIX campaign to #EndGamblingAds by visiting the SIX website or by contacting SIX by email at info@six-invest.com.au if you have any questions.
A new generation groomed to gamble
Sports betting has exploded in Australia, and new figures show that the number of people betting on sport has doubled in the last five years alone.
Today more than a quarter of all men aged 18-24, and a third of men aged 25-34 now bet on sport. Tragically, more than one-third of all spending on sports betting is now coming from people with a gambling problem.
And for some betting companies up to 20% of their customer base is made up of people with a gambling problem, according to research by Roy Morgan.
You can read the full article written by our CEO, Martin Thomas, on the Alliance website here.
Call to ban online gambling inducements
The Alliance for Gambling Reform calls on the Australian government to immediately ban all forms of online gambling inducements and inducement advertising, including direct messaging to customers as these practices are causing great gambling harm to Australians.
Gambling companies are taking advantage of weak advertising and consumer protection laws to offer inducements that encourage riskier bets and are cynically targeting people with gambling problems through tailored, personalised marketing.
You can read our full media release here and our Inducements Policy is available here.
>>>Read more
Review into online keno and offshore lotteries
The Federal Government has announced it will hold a review over the next twelve months into the regulation of online Keno and “foreign matched” (offshore) lotteries.
The review will look into the nature and size of online Keno and offshore lotteries in Australia, as well as the impact of emerging keno-type lotteries. It will also cover adverse experiences from customers, including the loss of deposits and non-payment of winnings.
The Alliance for Gambling Reform welcomes this review as we have been increasingly concerned about these products for some time.
>>>Read more
Councils and Supporters
Annual figures released for 2023/24
This month has seen disappointing outcomes for some councils, with the financial year figures from Victoria showing an overall increase in losses on poker machines across the State.
This year's figure of $3.03 billion is another new high for Victorians, off the back of last year's record breaking $3.02 billion.
Much of this increase came from the City of Melbourne, which increased its losses by nearly $10 million. We believe this is a result of the implementation of mandatory carded play at Crown Casino from 1 December 2023.
This underscores the need for the Victorian Government to hasten their legislation for mandatory carded gambling at all pubs and clubs in Victoria, which was announced in July 2023. You can read our recent media release on the Victorian figures here.
Regulator approves 40 machines
The City of Greater Bendigo has received news that the Commission has approved the Huntly Hotel as suitable for gaming with 40 machines. The Hotel is already operating as a pub but has opted to seek approval to add poker machines. This comes at a time when the surrounding community of Huntly is due to grow significantly, with hundreds of homes being built in a staged development just a block from the venue.
Gambling Harm Awareness Week
Victoria’s annual week to put the spotlight on reducing gambling harm is rapidly coming up, and after the dissolution of the Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation (VRGF), it will be overseen by the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC) this year.
At this stage, dates or a theme have not been confirmed, however it is typically the third week in October, which this year is the week beginning the 21 October.
This is a little complicated with council elections across Victoria happening on 26 October and with councils in caretaker mode from 17 September, which will limit the ability for large events or activities.
Please get in touch if you would like any support such as speakers or ideas for your event.
Council policy
The Macedon Ranges Shire Council Gambling Harm Prevention Policy is listed on the council agenda for adoption in July, and the Mitchell Shire Council Electronic Gaming Machine Policy is listed on the council agenda for adoption on 19 August.
Share your
Voice
The fastest growing group to experience gambling harm in Australia is young people aged between 18-30. We also know that the predatory gambling industry targets young people and even our kids in grooming them to become the gamblers of the future
We are very keen to hear from young people who have experienced gambling harm. We also want to hear from parents whose children have been affected by gambling.
We want to enable people to tell their stories, to highlight what the gambling industry is doing to a generation of young people. We want to see changes in our laws to better protect children and young people.
Yet the Alliance is also concerned about doing this in a way that empowers and protects people. To protect people’s identities but to allow them to be heard.
Please join us in protecting our young people and children from gambling harm. If we don’t speak up, we will never see change.
We would love to hear from you about your story.
Please email us at info@agr.org.au if you would like to share your story with us.
In The News
The Alliance
A Second Chance to Make a Difference - Ed' Story Part 3
13 October 2024
Ed’s story is a profound reminder of the consequences of unchecked gambling and the incredible strength it takes to rebuild from the lowest points. He faced loss, isolation, and imprisonment but found hope and redemption through the support of his community and a commitment to change.
As he says, “I’ve been lucky enough to get a second chance, and I’m doing my best to make it count. If my story can help just one person avoid what I went through, then it’s worth it.”
At the Alliance for Gambling Reform, we believe in the power of shared experiences. Stories like Ed’s can inspire others and drive meaningful change. If you have a story to share, we’d love to hear from you. Your voice could help protect others and promote a healthier, safer community for everyone.
Send your story to us at info@agr.org.au, and let’s work together to make a difference.
https://www.agr.org.au/ed-sredemption-anadvocateforchange
Braidwood Times
The "gold standard" - A mandatory cashless system with pre-commitment levels
12 October 2024
Recent research has confirmed that reducing the number of poker machines in the ACT has not effectively reduced gambling harm. The Alliance has consistently argued that simply cutting back on machines is not a sufficient solution. The most effective approach—the "gold standard"—is implementing a mandatory cashless system with pre-commitment levels.
This approach was recommended by the NSW Crime Commission as a means to both reduce gambling harm and combat money laundering. It is also the strategy currently being adopted in Tasmania.
Michael West Media
Gambling Reform Consultation: Whose Voices Matter?
9 October 2024
New FOI documents reveal a skewed gambling reform consultation, with Minister Rowland focusing on media and sports industry stakeholders while neglecting those impacted by gambling-related harm. Voices suffering from financial, legal, health, and family issues are being overlooked, as corporate interests dominate the conversation. It’s time to ask: whose voices really matter in this debate? #GamblingReform #PublicInterest #CorporateInfluence #MarinatedMinisters MWestMedia
ABC Radio National
It's just a matter of bravery, really – Kate’s* Story (Part 3)
7 October 2024
Steve: “Do you feel like the government is now taking the views of people like yourself and your family, who've had those lived experiences of the harms of online betting in the way that Peter Murphy did, and her committee did?”
Kate*: “Unfortunately, I don't feel that way. I've been following it really closely, which is challenging because people like Anthony Albanese do have the power to make change - it's not too late for him to make the right choice.
“I'm really blown away - what would it take for someone to actually implement these changes? Peter Murphy was so brave, she lost her life, and still is not being honoured - I'm really blown away by that. I'm also blown away by the outstanding evidence that suggests a full ban is the only way ahead. And I do hear and know it's a hard problem, and I understand that the governments in a tricky position, but it's clear what the right thing is to do it. It's just a matter of bravery, really.”
Donate to help us keep up the pressure on the government.
https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/radionational-breakfast/-hounded-to-death-gambling-victim-s-family-speak-out/104359030
Behind The Mask
Behind The Mask Podcast
11 October 2024
In the latest Behind The Mask Podcast episode, hosted by Josh Piterman, the Alliance’s Tim Costello and Mark Kempster tackle Australia’s gambling crisis. With just 0.33% of the world’s population, Australia houses 20% of all pokies and broadcasts 943 gambling ads daily.
They discuss gambling's impact on families, rising harm, and the urgent need for reform. Listen to Mark's journey, the effect of ads on children, and how Peta Murphy’s recommendations could make a difference. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OuZuwGF_Uio
Donate today to help us #EndGamblingAds
#GamblingReform #BehindTheMaskPodcast
The Greens
Greens introduce Ban Gambling Ads Bill to the Senate
10 October 2024
Yesterday, the Greens introduced their Ban Gambling Ads Bill to the Senate. The Bill will ban gambling ads on TV, radio, print, and online consistent with the multi-party parliamentary inquiry recommendations.
The Alliance for Gambling Reform, which previoulsy gathered over 35,000 signatures to #EndGamblingAds, has long called for the adoption of all 31 recommendations from the inquiry. Gambling ads exploit children and young people, normalize gambling, and contribute to harmful behaviors.
The Alliance
Protect Our Kids from Gambling Harm - Ed' Story Part 2
9 October 2024
“I went to an NRL game and saw kids—teenagers—on their phones looking at betting apps. It’s become part of the culture, and that’s what scares me. I was consumed by gambling at a young age, and that was before it was anywhere near as pervasive as it is today.” – Ed, Voice for Gambling Reform Advocate
Gambling ads are everywhere, from AFL and NRL broadcasts to social media, reaching our kids at a time when they're most vulnerable. It’s crucial that we take action now to prevent future generations from falling into the same trap.
Full story: https://www.agr.org.au/ed-sredemption-anadvocateforchange
ABC News
PNG's New NRL Team Sparks Concerns About Gambling Harm in Vulnerable Communities
6 October 2024
Papua New Guinea will soon have its own NRL team, a move backed by the Australian Government, but little thought has been given to how that might fuel a growing gambling problem in a poorly regulated environment.
Alliance Chief Advocate Tim Costello expressed his concerns: "It really devastates me that we're exporting to PNG, and the Pacific, our gambling addiction. What we know is in Australia, the greatest losses happen in the poorest areas. So put gambling and NRL together in PNG and the Pacific and you will get far greater poverty, far greater losses, far greater suicides, domestic violence and crime."
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-10-03/png-rugby-league-gambling-issue/104417356
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