New research shows young Australians are increasingly concerned about the flood of gambling advertising in sport, with many saying it has gone too far. While 77% of Australians support a total ban on gambling ads, the federal government's proposed reforms fall short of the Murphy Review's recommendation for a comprehensive ban.

Alliance Voices Advocate Mark S said:
"When our children are saying they've had enough of gambling ads, it's time for the government to listen. Young people should be able to enjoy sport without being bombarded by messages that normalise gambling. Kids can see the problem. The question is, why can't our leaders?"

We know that nothing good happens on a poker machine at 3am.

The evidence shows that harm escalates in the early hours – when people are tired and isolated, they are more likely to chase losses. We maintain the urgency of a shutdown on pokies from midnight-4am. 

Australians lose $32 billion a year to gambling, the highest per-capita losses in the world. Yet despite a parliamentary inquiry recommending a full ban on online gambling advertising and strong public support for tougher action, Australia is moving towards only a partial advertising cap.

The ABC News Loop highlights concerns that powerful interests across gambling companies, sporting codes and broadcasters continue to influence the debate while Australians, including children, are exposed to gambling ads across sport and social media.

It's time for meaningful reform that puts people ahead of industry profits and reduces gambling harm.

Under Labor’s draft reforms, gambling ads during live sport could still be allowed after 8.30pm.

Alliance Chief Advocate Tim Costello said the idea children all go to bed by 8.30pm in the middle of a weekend sporting event defies logic.

He said: “Imagine saying ‘we’re going to let cigarette ads start at half-time because kids should be in bed’.”

Kids deserve protection from gambling harm, not loopholes that keep exposing them to gambling ads during sport.

More than a dozen Coalition MPs, along with former Prime Minister John Howard and former premiers Jeff Kennett and Nick Greiner, are calling for stronger gambling laws, arguing Labor’s proposed reforms do not go far enough to reduce gambling harm.

The Alliance’s Chief Advocate Tim Costello welcomed the growing support across Parliament, saying:

“I know, because Labor members talk to me, that they want something stronger, but they’re toeing the line. We’ve known the teals and Greens view for a while, now we know the bulk of the Liberal Party’s view. The prime minister should welcome this.”

After years of delay, the Federal Government has announced some gambling reform measures, but concerns remain about whether they go far enough to address Australia's staggering gambling losses of $32 billion a year.

The Alliance CEO Martin Thomas described Australia's gambling crisis as an “epidemic” and warned: “This [online advertising] is breeding and grooming a whole new generation of gamblers.”

The article highlights growing youth gambling participation, the influence of gambling industry donations, and ongoing calls for full implementation of the Murphy Report recommendations to reduce gambling harm.