Welcome to our
JUNE
NEWSLETTER
Check out all our latest updates
6/2023
Carol Bennett
Chief Executive Officer
Message from the CEO
The Alliance for Gambling Reform is making a difference. We have seen real progress in gambling reform thanks to the tireless work and support of a growing movement for change. The last few weeks alone has seen:
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three private members bills tabled in federal parliament to ban gambling ads
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significant fines imposed on Crown Casino (to date now around $750m in total!)
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a decision by the NT government not to grant 20 additional poker machine licenses in Alice Springs with community campaigning at an all-time high
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a focus on the role of sporting codes in promoting gambling
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calls for strengthened privacy legislation to protect our kids from gambling companies collecting their data (and we join in a Digital Rights Watch campaign)
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several motions from Councils adopted at the Australian Local Government Association conference to reduce gambling harm
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a campaign by local MLA Marisa Paterson in Canberra to make a new development ‘pokies free’
And then the Guardian banned all forms of gambling advertising globally – which meant not taking an estimated millions of dollars in advertising revenue!
The Alliance supports Rebekha Sharkie MP’s private members bill to provide a comprehensive ban on gambling advertising June 2023.
Left to right: Carol Bennett, Andrew Wiilkie MP, Kate Seselja, Rebekha Sharkie MP, Senator Jacqui Lambie and Senator David Pocock
With the Federal Inquiry into online gambling and its impacts on those experiencing gambling harm due to report any time now, it’s hard to imagine a more eventful time in gambling reform.
Now is the time to demand the Federal Government expand its response to gambling harm beyond just the communications portfolio and charge the health department with a role in reducing gambling harm (just as tobacco and alcohol are). We need to highlight the public health issues caused by gambling and spearhead the development of a comprehensive national strategy that encompasses prevention, awareness and education, treatment, and research. No such strategy exists for gambling.
We cannot ignore that gambling harm is not just financial - it is social, it impacts mental health, it leads to other health issues and too often it leads to suicide.
The Alliance believes that if we fail to tackle gambling as a public health issue, we will have failed to tackle gambling harm and learn the lessons from our successful harm reduction achievements with tobacco.
The question now is, will our political leaders be up to the task of finally addressing the significant harm caused by gambling in a country that leads the world in gambling losses?
At Australian Local Government Association national conference meeting with councils dedicated to reducing gambling harm.
Join us to end gambling harm by making a regular donation of just $10 a month to support our End Gambling Ads Campaign
#End Gambling Ads hits Federal Parliament
Senator David Pocock, Kate Seselja, Carol Bennett, Rebekha Sharkie MP, Senator Jacqui Lambie and Andrew Wilkie MP
This month we saw three Private Members Bills introduced to parliament to ban the broadcasting of gambling ads: the first by Zoe Daniel MP, Leader of the Opposition Peter Dutton MP and Rebekha Sharkie MP. Dr Sophie Scamps also shared a media release which spoke to Crossbenchers' call for stronger regulations for harmful product marketing. The Alliance commends the incredible work being done by our parliamentarians putting Bills forward and elevating this incredibly important issue that the community are demanding action on!
Anthony Albanese has now admitted his annoyance with gambling ads. Treasurer Jim Chalmers also mentioned on Q&A that the government was ‘actively considering a ban’ on gambling ads.
There has been significant momentum and a shift in how politicians are talking about gambling advertisements. We are yet to see the Albanese government commit to reform but the Alliance anticipates that the national inquiry into online gambling and its impacts on those experiencing gambling harm will deliver recommendations to strengthen the current gambling advertising regulations as well as reforms on a number of fronts to address the growing harms due to online gambling in our community.
Crown Casino faces more fines
The Alliance was pleased to see the national regulator, AUSTRAC take action to redress the breaches from Crown in relation to money laundering and counter terriorism. Crown Melbourne and Perth have come to an agreement with AUSTRAC to pay a $450 million penalty. This fine has to be agreed to by the Federal Court on the 10-11th July 2023. This is the third biggest fine in Australian corporate history.
This fine is in addition to another Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission fine of Crown of $20m for improperly claiming tax deductions for promotional costs that were disguised as amounts paid out as winnings. You can find out more here.
See AUSTRAC’s Media release here
You can read AGR’s media release here
Help us #End Gambling Ads!
It’s no secret that gambling advertising has increased exponentially in recent years and this has significantly impacted how a whole generation are experiencing sport.
The Alliance recently asked our supporters how many times they would estimate seeing a gambling ad during an AFL or NRL match. 46% said up to 10 times, 45% said between 11 and 20 times, and 19% said more than 19 in a match! We perceive gambling ad numbers to be high and harmful and they are. It is time for change!
Show your support by signing the petition to help #End Gambling Ads here.
Northern Territory poker machine moratorium decision
The Northern Territory Government came to a decision to lower the cap for poker machines allowed in new venues.
While it is a good outcome as there will not be an increase in poker machine venues, this does allow for two applications at two hotels for a ‘top up’ of poker machines from 10 to 20 (which is the maximum number allowed in hotels in the NT).
The decision on these applications will be made by the NT Department over the coming weeks. The Alliance has urged the government to reject these applications based on the significant community opposition and existing community challenges facing Alice Springs.
You can read our media release here.
Proposed new mandatory minimum classifications for gambling-like content in computer games
The Alliance made a submission to the federal government on the proposed new mandatory minimum classification for gambling-like content in computer games. We advocated for significant improvements to the scheme including gambling like features and loot boxes being classified as R18+ and for phone apps with gambling like features to have harm prevention measures such as age verification. You can read the Alliance's submission here:
Guardian to end all gambling advertising globally!
The Alliance is delighted to see the leadership being show by the Guardian, who have announced a global ban on all forms of gambling advertising citing “it is unethical to take money from services that can lead to “addiction and financial ruin”.
You can read the full story here
This decision is a watershed moment, applying to all of their online, audio, video, and print mediums. We look forward to seeing other media follow suit.
Alliance calls for major privacy overhaul alongside Digital Rights Watch
The Alliance has joined Digital Rights Watch and a number of partner organisations in a letter to the Attorney General, the Hon Mark Dreyfus KC MP, Minister for Social Services the Hon Amanda Rishworth MP and Minister for Communications, the Hon Michelle Rowland MP to call for bold reform to the Privacy Act to protect children and all of us from harmful data-driven business practices.
The Alliance has also provided a submission to the review.
Help us to
End Gambling Ads
When it comes to gambling reform in Australia, the last 12 months has seen a real shift in attitude and interest, but the next twelve months are pivotal.
Some key progress includes the imminent release of the federal government's report and recommendations from the inquiry into online gambling and its impacts on those experiencing gambling harm, Crown Melbourne oversight by the Office of the Special Manager coming to an end and the continued implementation of the NSW Government’s election promises.
There has never been stronger community and political support for a ban on gambling ads and the exploitative nature of the poker machine industry is finally being scrutinised.
We have never been so close to reforms that will change how gambling impacts our communities.
You can join us and make a difference to the kind of communities our children and grandchildren will grow up in.
Will you donate to the Alliance for Gambling Reform this end of the financial year?
As always, thank you for supporting our work to make Australia a safer and fairer nation.
If you wish to make a donation via bank transfer
Alliance For Gambling Reform Inc
Bank Australia
BSB: 313-140
Account Number: 12137211
Have your Say on Gambling Harm Reduction in Victoria
The Victorian Government is currently holding a new inquiry and is inviting public input on liquor licensing, compliance, and gambling harm.
The Public Accounts and Estimates Committee is also looking into online gambling applications- not just Crown Melbourne.
You can provide your comments to the Alliance (info@agr.org.au) or make your own public submission by Friday 7 July 2023.
The Alliance’s Online Gambling Policy
Focus on
Local Government in
gambling harm reduction
Every year delegates from councils from around Australia gather in Canberra for the National General Assembly. This year was a wonderful opportunity to catch up with so many of our passionate Leadership Councils and Councillors. We had great discussions about how we can work together to ensure gambling harm is approached as a public health issue in Australia.
The importance of preventing gambling harm to the local government sector in Australia was evident through motions raised by Manningham Council and Brimbank Council which tackled gambling advertising, the ownership of poker machines by political parties, removal of DGR status by charities that own or operate gambling entities, a buy-back scheme for machine licenses and the establishment of a national regulator for all gambling.
Regardless of who we spoke to, whichever state or territory they were from - rural, regional or metropolitan, gambling is sadly an issue in their community, and one they feel has been left to run rampant.
Thanks to the Local Government sector from around Australia for standing up for their communities on this and so many other issues – as the level of government closest to the community your input and efforts on preventing gambling harm are critical to our shared success.
Voices
for Gambling Reform
The month of May began with a bang at the Public Health Conference in Adelaide on Gambling Harm.
This was an important event to help close the gap and have gambling harm properly recognised as the public health crisis that it is. It brought together many of our lived experience voices, together with researchers, media, health and political perspectives, to highlight the many aspects of gambling harm.
As Voices Manager, Kate Seselja attended the Community Council for Australia AGM and was able to ask Minister Leigh about how gambling harm would be addressed as part of the federal government’s wellbeing budget.
Several voices have been in the media and will be featured in the coming weeks on various platforms.
There is never a dull moment and several new voices have emerged with inspiring ideas of how to creatively address gambling harm awareness, so watch this space in the coming months.
Kate Seselja, Carol Bennett, Amanda Power (Board member), and Nick Nguyen attending a meeting at Parliament House Canberra
Media Releases
6 June 2023
NT must stop applications for more poker machines - ‘Modest’ lowering of poker machine cap welcomed
2 June 2023
Australia’s online gambling laws among the weakest in the world - Industry exploiting weak laws to groom children for a life of gambling
30 May 2023 $450m Crown fine would fund 10 years of gambling harm reduction - AUSTRAC action underscores need for a national gambling regulator
22 May 2023
Bill to ban gambling ads on broadcasting platforms applauded - But ban must also be extended to ban social media platforms
12 May 2023
Dutton puts sports gambling advertising crisis in the national spotlight - Both parties must move toward a total ban to protect our kids
2 May 2023
Urgent national action critical to combat gambling harm
1 May 2023
Only total ban on gambling advertising will protect our children
28 April 2023
Banning use of credit online gambling welcomed, but more needs to be done to tackle Australia’s gambling epidemic
26 April 2023
Protecting the vulnerable and ensuring outcomes: why standards are important for alcohol and other drug and gambling services
16 April 2023
Pressure for gambling reform now greater than ever in our history - Australians furious at the tsunami of betting ads swamping our screens
Opinion Pieces
The easy, popular measure that could cut households costs missing from the budget
The Canberra Times
Martin Thomas, CEO for the Alliance for Gambling Reform
27 Mar 2025
Yet there is a major cost-of-living initiative that is low cost, non-inflationary and would tackle an issue that is a bigger drain on the household budget than power bills.
But it is not in the budget and most likely it won't be in the opposition's budget reply speech either.
Lessons from NSW's transport gambling ad ban
Martin Thomas, CEO for the Alliance for Gambling Reform
6 Feb 2025
As Parliament returns to Canberra this week, NSW's recent decision to remove gambling advertisements from public transport offers an important lesson in what meaningful reform looks like. It's a reminder that change happens not through rhetoric alone but through decisive action backed by a clear purpose.
In The News
Mandatory pre-commitment carded play cuts harm — why delay statewide reform?
ABC News
27 March 2025
Crown’s mandatory carded play is working — helping reduce gambling harm and money laundering. But reform must go further. As Tim Costello says, “It’s an absolute vote winner. Every survey shows that Victorians are sick of the damage from pokies. Victoria and Jacinta need to lead and they will win.”
It’s time for statewide mandatory pre-commitment — no more delays, no more excuses. Let’s level the playing field and protect our communities.
Three in four Australians support a total ban on gambling advertising
The Alliance
24 March 2025
Support for banning gambling advertising is widespread, according to new polling from The Australia Institute:
🎯 Three in four Australians (76%) support a total ban on gambling ads phased in over three years. This is an increase on the 72% reported in a similar poll conducted by Redbridge late in 2024.
📱 Four in five (81%) Australians support banning gambling ads on social media and online.
📺 Nearly nine in ten (87%) support banning gambling ads during prime time TV hours for family and children.
⚽ More than three quarters (79%) support banning gambling ads in sporting stadiums and on players’ uniforms.
📉 More than three quarters (78%) agree that Australian government policies should aim to reduce the amount people spend on gambling.
🧒 Four in five Australians (80%) agree that children are exposed to too many gambling ads.
Sports Gambling Soars Among Young Aussie Men
ABC
22 March 2025
New research from Melbourne Uni reveals a 57% increase in Australian men gambling on sport over the past seven years—jumping to over 60% for younger men.
https://findanexpert.unimelb.edu.au/news/100919-the-rate-of-sports-betting-has-surged-more-than-57-%E2%80%93-and-younger-people-are-betting-more
Alliance CEO Martin Thomas warns: "The spiralling rates at which young people are gambling is a horrendous concern."
With Australians losing $32 billion a year to gambling, the government must act on the 31 recommendations from last year’s parliamentary inquiry. The fastest-growing form of gambling is online sports gambling—and young men are paying the price.
Political Silence as Gambling Harm Grows
ABC News
25 March 2025
Nearly two years since the Murphy Inquiry, not one of its 31 gambling reform recommendations has been implemented — despite urgent calls for change.
This week, as Victoria debates mandatory precommitment cards, federal leaders remain silent. Tim Costello, Chief Advocate for The Alliance, says: "Both Prime Minister Albanese and Peter Dutton have been captured by the gambling industry."
Communities are suffering. Families are hurting. And still, gambling profits come before people.
Victoria Must Fast-Track Poker Machine Reforms
ABC
23 March 2025
Victorians lost a staggering $4 billion on poker machines in 2023-24. Now, the government is set to trial mandatory precommitment cards at 40 venues—but delays are costing lives.
Tim Costello is urging Premier Jacinta Allan to act now: "Enough harm, suicides, domestic violence and damage. Our courts are clogged with crime. Stand up for Victorians, pass this cashless card" he said.
Crown Casino was forced to introduce precommitment after a royal commission exposed its failures. Data on Crown’s pokies is not available publicly, but government insiders say that punter losses at the casino have dropped as a result of the scheme. If it works there, why wait to implement it everywhere?
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