Welcome to our
OCTOBER NEWSLETTER
Check out all our latest updates
10/2022
Carol Bennett
Chief Executive Officer
Message from the CEO
The last couple of months have seen a significant shift in community
awareness and concern about gambling related harm across Australia.
This has followed the Royal Commission into Crown Victoria and WA
casinos and various inquiries into casinos around the country including Star
Sydney and Queensland and South Australia. The Alliance, in addition to
our ongoing media and public advocacy, has made numerous submissions
and provided witnesses to these enquiries across a number of states and
importantly, ensured that the voices of those with lived experience are
heard and heeded.
A few notable achievements in reducing gambling harm occurred. Most
significantly, the Tasmanian government has decided (and achieved
bipartisan support) to introduce mandatory pre-commitment and cashless
gambling cards. Following on from Victor Dominello’s digital wallet trial in
NSW which saw him be moved on from his responsibility in this area, it is
wonderful to see Tasmania show the leadership to introduce possibly the
most substantial harm reduction measure. We are hopeful other states will
follow suit….
The Alliance joined with local community advocates in Alice Springs to
advocate for new poker machine licenses to be rejected. The Northern
Territory government decided on a 9 month moratorium on new poker
machine licences in central Australia which is a step forward in reducing
harm in that community.
And a very welcome national parliamentary inquiry into online gambling has
been launched. With the growing impact of online gambling in our
communities, this inquiry will enable much needed exploration of the
current trends, research, lived experience of harm and possible solutions.
The Alliance will provide a submission informed by our Voices lived
experience group.
Finally, a significant report on gambling losses in 5 states arrived at a
conservative figure $11.74b which is a staggering and world leading result.
Read more about this research and the various activities on the Alliance’s
radar in this edition.
Thanks for your continuing support
Carol Bennett
Alliance for Gambling Reform CEO
Record-breaking $11B Losses
New research leads to calls to establish a national gambling regulator.
Australians lost more than $11.4 billion to poker machines in pubs and clubs across five states last year according to the first comprehensive, national analysis of available loss figures which cements Australia as the world’s biggest losers to poker machines per person.
And the researchers warn that without the pandemic restrictions, hotel and club gambling machine losses are likely to exceed $13 billion next year.
The new figures, compiled by Dr Charles Livingstone of the Gambling and Social Determinants Unit at Monash University also show that in the 30 years to 2019 (the latest available figures) poker machine losses in hotels and clubs in Australia amounted to $308.4 billion. Note that poker machines are not permitted in clubs and hotels in WA. Relevant data was also not readily available for ACT or the NT.
The chief advocate of the Alliance for Gambling Reform, Tim Costello, said the losses reveal the extent of the gambling crisis that is devastating families and communities across the country, a ‘hidden epidemic’ that demands a nationally coordinated and urgent government response.
“The federal government must establish a national gambling harm regulator that can coordinate efforts to reduce the terrible toll gambling is wreaking on Australian society,” Rev Costello said.
“A regulator can bring the states together, it can progressively reduce the number of poker machines, it can fast-track harm minimisation measures such as digital wallets. At the moment there is no coordination and no will to act.”
Monash University Associate Professor Charles Livingstone, said pandemic restrictions had reduced losses in NSW and Victoria by 17% or 1.6 billion.
“Previous trends are likely to resume after the easing of pandemic restrictions with hotel and club gambling machines total expenditure for 2022-23 likely to exceed $13 billion across Australia,” Professor Livingstone said.
The annual loss of $11.4 billion in NSW, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia and Tasmania is the equivalent to a loss of $658 for every adult resident of those States.
Amongst people who use poker machines, average losses were $3,429 p.a. across the five states.
Our media release and key data are available here.
Federal inquiry into online gambling
The Australian House of Representatives have announced a federal inquiry into online gambling.
This is a welcome step in the right direction towards meaningful reforms that can protect our communities from the growing and harmful impacts of the complex online gambling environment.
The Terms of Reference allow the inquiry to look at online gambling holistically, from treatment, to impact on children and appropriateness of current regulations. It will even explore the impact of Facial Recognition Technology.
The Alliance will be proactively engaging in this inquiry and invites your thoughts on the issues. Please send to Tara at info@agr.org.au
Tasmania’s mandatory pre-commitment policy
The Tasmanian Government has committed to implementing a mandatory pre-commitment, cashless card scheme on all poker machines in pubs, clubs and the casinos. The Alliance has long advocated for mandatory pre-commitment on all poker machines as an evidence-based effective tool to prevent gambling harm so we applaud the Tasmanian government for taking this initiative and hope it will extend to other jurisdictions. Read our media release here
Star Casino Inquiry Outcomes
Qld and South Australia Inquiry Submissions
After months of work highlighting lived experience of gambling harm at the Star Casino, the Bell inquiry report was published. The Alliance worked closely with people harmed at Star to ensure they could tell their story of harm and have an impact on the outcomes and recommendations of Bell’s final report.
The Star Sydney were found unfit to hold their licence and the NSW Premier himself called them ‘absolutely horrendous.’ To read the report in full click here.
AGR CEO Carol Bennett provided comment on the lack of accountability for casino board members and specifically in relation to Star’s plan to continue to operate despite the inquiry findings
The Alliance for Gambling Reform has welcomed the recommendations from the Gotterson review that uncovered appalling failures at Star Casinos in Queensland. Read our media release here.
The South Australian SkyCity inquiry is still underway
The Alliance has worked with people with lived experience of gambling harm to ensure their voices continue to be heard in these inquiries and that those investigating casinos have the most up to date and robust evidence and research backing recommendations made around preventing and reducing gambling harm.
we keenly await the findings and actions taken from these inquiries.
The final Gotterson report can be found here.
Victoria
The Alliance made a submission to the Victorian Suicide Prevention and Reponse strategy last month highlighting the importance of the strategy having a dedicated focus on gambling related suicides.
You can read our submission here.
Opinion Pieces
Tassie on front line in fight to end pokies pain
Rev Tim Costello, Chief Advocate for the Alliance for Gambling Reform
The Mercury
7/11/24
This bully industry is used to getting its own way, but someone has to stop it, writes Tim Costello.
I know something about the power and fury of the NSW pokies industry. I remember pulling out of a public debate in Sydney, when former MP Peter Garrett and I were warned by the Federal Police they could not protect us from angry pokies crowds.
Can we really trust clubs to help gamblers?
Martin Thomas, CEO for the Alliance for Gambling Reform
The Canberra Times
20/6/24
The ACT is among the most advanced in the country in pushing towards a mandatory, cashless gambling card.
Evidence shows such a card with pre-set and binding limits will be the best weapon we have in effectively curbing gambling harm.
And according to the NSW Crime Commission it will not only limit gambling harm but it will also tackle the billions of dollars from the proceeds of crime that is fed into poker machines across the country every year.
Pokies venues bet on community goodwill over gambling revenue
Carol Bennett, Previous CEO for the Alliance for Gambling Reform
Institute of Community Directors Australia
16/4/24
Faced with inaction from government, some pokies venues are taking matters into their own hands to stem community losses from gambling, writes Alliance for Gambling Reform CEO Carol Bennett.
There is a growing backlash against gambling in Australia.
Across Australia’s eastern states, clubs and pubs are increasingly shunning poker machines.
In some cases, it’s a response to falling revenue, but mostly it is a response by clubs and pubs to the growing anger across the nation about the intolerable and devastating gambling losses we all pay a price for.
Australians lose more to gambling than any other country on a per capita basis. Our losses top a staggering $25 billion every year – and poker machines (in our pubs and clubs alone) account for more than $14 billion of these loses.
The AFL and NRL are pushing aside gambling harm to profit at their fans’ expense
Rev Tim Costello, Chief Advocate for the Alliance for Gambling Reform
the Guardian
30/9/24
At a time when it seems every political leader is happy to join the pile-on against our two major supermarkets, there is a stunning resistance to levelling any criticism at our two major sporting codes despite their wholehearted embrace of gambling and the damage it is causing, especially during a cost-of-living crisis.
The AFL and the NRL are profiting at the expense of their supporters and embedding gambling advertising so deeply within the games that a whole new generation of supporters are indoctrinated in the odds just as much as the code.
Addictive, dangerous, out of control. Yet Labor lets betting giants win again
Martin Thomas, CEO for the Alliance for Gambling Reform
The Canberra Times
8/8/24
Never pick a fight with anyone who buys ink by the barrel and paper by the ton.
This, now rather antiquated quote, often attributed to Mark Twain was a warning about the power of the then newspaper barons.
While the technology has changed, the media barons of Australia still wield unholy power in the Australian political landscape today.
It is why the Albanese government has agonised for more than year over the recommendations of the Murphy Report, 31 recommendations that come from a parliamentary inquiry chaired by one of their very own, Peta Murphy who lost her battle with cancer last year.
Gambling industry now targeting and grooming children
Martin Thomas, CEO for the Alliance for Gambling Reform
The Canberra Times
13/6/24
Our kids are being deliberately targeted and groomed by the gambling industry.
A new pilot study released by the Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education last week revealed children as young as 14 were being targeted by social media ads urging them to download gambling apps on their phones.
Does anyone have a chance in a race against big gambling?
Rev Tim Costello, Chief Advocate for the Alliance for Gambling Reform
The Advocate
21/2/24
Is Australia's political system corrupt?
Can money and power buy the outcomes it wants and do our political leaders yield to their influence if it aligns with their own personal interests or the interests of their party?
In the life of every PM there is one real test. This is Albo’s moment to be up there with Howard
Rev Tim Costello, Chief Advocate for the Alliance for Gambling Reform
27/8/24
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.
Reaping the whirlwind of a new generation hooked on gambling
Martin Thomas, CEO for the Alliance for Gambling Reform
The Canberra Times
15/7/24
Sports betting has exploded in Australia.
New figures show the numbers 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.
Gender-based violence, gambling and the hypocrisy of the AFL
Rev Tim Costello, Chief Advocate for the Alliance for Gambling Reform
The Canberra Times
10/5/24
Amid the national spotlight that has finally shone on Australia’s domestic violence crisis, the AFL decided that in all their games last weekend they would highlight the issue with a minute’s silence before play.
While it was poignant to see young men standing in solidarity with women against violence, for the AFL itself the move was hypocritical.
The AFL reaps multiple millions of dollars from gambling sponsorship and advertising – the losses from gambling are a substantial factor fuelling domestic violence – so without greater action against gambling the league is simply ‘virtue signalling’.
Gambling reform in Tasmania is too important not have bipartisan support
Rev Tim Costello, Chief Advocate for the Alliance for Gambling Reform
Examiner newspaper
17/2/24
If Tasmania successfully progresses with its plans to introduce a cashless pokies card, it will represent a 'gold standard' in reducing gambling harm.
In The News
The Truth About Late-Night Pokies and Gambling Harm
Sydney Morning Herald
A study by Roy Morgan revealed that gambling on poker machines between 2am and 8am dramatically increased the risk of gambling harm. Nearly two-thirds of late-night gamblers faced severe negative consequences, and over 22% were classified as experiencing significant gambling harm.
Despite this, the NSW gambling reform panel's draft report only supported a six-hour pokies shutdown starting no later than 4am—ignoring evidence that late-night gambling primarily impacted those already vulnerable.
Research statistician Matthew Stevens stated, “It was really, really clear. The later at night people played the pokies, the more likely they were to be experiencing gambling harm.”
“But if you bring in gambling cards with set limits, it doesn’t matter when venues are open. They can be open 24 hours because once people hit that limit, they can’t gamble any more.”
Communities deserve better. We need mandatory cashless cards with set limits, , and we need more programs like Libraries After Dark, which provide free, safe, and friendly alternatives to spending the evening at the pokies.
Alliance Advocate Mark Kempster Slams Inaction on Gambling Ads
ABC Northern Tasmania Drive
“Every day you delay action on these regulations is another day that another young Australian, or any Australian, falls into an addiction because of what we’re subjected to at the moment in the media.” – Mark Kempster
Mark Kempster, who lost $100,000 to gambling, is fighting for change. He describes the government’s refusal to act on a proposed phased ban on gambling ads as “ridiculous” and “disappointing.”
“We can’t watch sport. We can’t enjoy sport without having gambling advertising shoved down our throats,” says Mark. He adds: “Every week, I get a different young person in Australia messaging me [about gambling harm].”
Mark urges action: “I don’t want people to go through the issues I went through.”
Gambling Advertising Fuels Harm: Why the Delay?
ABC AM Radio
Ed, an advocate with The Alliance, shares how his gambling harm escalated "tenfold" after moving to Australia. Now, he’s fighting for change.
Up to 20% of suicides are linked to gambling harm, and the festive season sees a spike in risky behaviours. The late Peter Murphy’s inquiry called for a total ban on gambling ads, but despite public support, the government has delayed reforms until 2025, citing complexity and industry pressure.
https://youtube.com/shorts/Bc2IoD2Xkjg?feature=share
ACT Stands Strong on Cashless Gaming Reform Despite Pushback
Canberra Times
The ACT Government reaffirms its commitment to mandatory cashless gaming, rejecting calls to delay reforms after Tasmania shelved its plans for a pre-commitment card.
Tim Costello of The Alliance called Tasmania’s backtrack an "inexcusable capitulation" to the gambling lobby, highlighting Melbourne's Crown Casino as proof that cashless systems are feasible.
The ACT's progressive agenda includes cashless gaming, machine reductions, and a club sector inquiry—all vital steps to reduce gambling harm.
Gambling Ads on Public Transport: A Harmful Normalisation
ABC News
Gambling ads on Sydney trains sparked outrage, with critics highlighting the impact on vulnerable communities, including children. Alliance CEO Martin Thomas said: "These are adverts on a train that anyone can see at any age, and it really is aimed at normalising gambling across the community."
Australia led the world in gambling losses last year, with Australians losing $32 billion—up from $28 billion. Gambling ads, identified as a "major culprit" in these losses by the Grattan Institute, encouraged risky behaviours and harmed public health.
Gambling Reforms Shelved—Who’s Really Winning?
Saturday Magazine
The government has shelved gambling reforms, ignoring overwhelming public support for action. Mark Kempster, an Alliance advocate, reflects on the harm caused: "An overwhelming majority in Australia don't want to see gambling ads on TV anymore."
Children as young as six now know the odds better than the players, while parents struggle to shield their families from the relentless advertising. "We're the first generation having to explain gambling terms like multis to primary school kids," says Kempster.
Despite an inquiry delivering clear recommendations eight months ago, vested interests continue to block reforms. It’s time to put community safety ahead of corporate profits.
The Fight Against Gambling Harm Continues
ABC Radio National
The Alliance and Chief Advocate Tim Costello are spearheading a new Christmas campaign to hold the government accountable for tackling gambling ads. With Australia facing the world’s highest gambling losses per person, the harm is undeniable: families are devastated, domestic violence rates triple in homes affected by gambling, and children are exposed to relentless ads normalising gambling.
72% of Australians support a full gambling ad ban, echoing the late MP Peter Murphy’s courageous recommendations. Yet, despite bipartisan potential, PM Anthony Albanese has delayed action—leaving the issue unresolved and lives at risk.
Victoria: Taking Action. Your State: Taking Losses
The Alliance
These aren't just numbers – it's families struggling to put food on the table. Kids missing out on school activities. Bills going unpaid.
Victoria proved reform is possible. Your state's politicians have NO excuse.
Help us fight for Victorian-style reforms where you live. Every day of delay means more families torn apart by gambling harm.
👉 Make change happen in your state - donate now
Why is the NSW Government Hiding a Key Report on Poker Machines?
The Age
The Minns government is withholding a crucial report from the Independent Panel for Gambling Reform. This report could reveal solutions to billions in criminal "dirty" cash laundered through poker machines and address $8.1 billion in player losses last year. Alliance Chief Advocate Tim Costello previously called cashless gambling reform “historic” and essential for ending gambling harm. Yet progress stalls. Why is the government keeping this report from the public?
Labor’s Gamble with Public Trust: No Action on Gambling Ads
Financial Review
18 months after promising to ban sports gambling ads, the Albanese government has failed to deliver. Despite labelling these ads "reprehensible," legislative action has been shelved until at least 2025.
Alliance Chief Advocate Tim Costello says, “The vested interests at the moment are frustrating what is overwhelming public opinion.” Independent MP Andrew Wilkie slammed the delay as “one of the most shocking betrayals of the community I’ve seen in my 14 years in parliament.”
Public hearings have shown the devastating impacts of gambling harm, yet corporate lobbying continues to stall reforms. Australians deserve action, not excuses.
Events
ReThink Addiction Conference
Carol Bennett (AGR CEO), Anna Bardsley (AGR Voices for Gambling Reform Coordinator), Kate Seselja and Paul Fung
The inaugural ReThink Addiction National Convention was held in Canberra from September 12-14.
It was an historic opportunity to come together to change the conversation around addiction, including the harm caused by gambling. With a fantastic line-up of speakers including AGR's Voices: Anna Bardsley, Kate Seselja and Gavin Fineff and a closing statement from CEO Carol Bennett. It also featured a video from Three Sides of the Coin.
Read more about the conference here and here.
Carol Bennett (AGR CEO), Gavin Fineff and Anna Bardsley (AGR Voices for Gambling Reform Coordinator)
Tim’s Mornington peninsula Event
Ken (Voices for Gambling Reform, lived experience advocate), Joy (Uniting Church), Rose O’Leary (Reform and Advocacy, AGR), and Rev Tim Costello (Chief Advocate, AGR).
The Mornington Peninsula community has lost $45 million to poker machines in the past six months, eight per cent more than before the COVID pandemic. Chief Advocate Rev Tim Costello and Rose O’Leary, our advocacy and policy manager discussed these escalating losses and the high number of machines within the municipality at a free forum last month at St Marks Uniting Church, Barkly Street, Mornington. @MPnews 👉 https://www.mpnews.com.au/2022/08/15/gamblers-lose-big-post-covid/
Progress in Poker Machine Reform Seminar: Geelong
Geelong has experienced record breaking losses of over $11.6M in July 2022; having lost over 2.3B in the 30 years since poker machines were introduced to Victoria.
Come along on Sunday 9 October to hear from our Chief Advocate, Rev Tim Costello discuss gambling harm, the latest poker machine reforms and what can be done to prevent and reduce further harm from gambling.
The event commences at 2pm at St Luke’s Uniting Church, Highton; with an afternoon tea provided.
Join our team
We’re hiring! Join our dynamic team as our new Supporters and Councils Coordinator!
Working to prevent and reduce gambling harm in Australia, you’ll be working with a range of organisations and local councils.
This full-time role provides the opportunity to lead and engage with key stakeholders and make a real difference in gambling reform.
We are inviting you to become an Alliance for Gambling Reform Supporter
Our kids are growing up in a world awash with gambling ads, major sports are controlled by pro-gambling interests, Australians dominate the global ladder of leading poker machine losses, and it seems you can only run a casino in Australia if you are unfit to hold a casino licence.
But little by little, the Alliance for Gambling Reform is challenging the power of the gambling industry in Australia.
We are inviting you to become a Gambling Reform Supporter and enable us
to continue this critical work.
Join us and help change the way gambling is impacting our families and communities.
The Alliance is an independent charity reliant on donations and supporters to continue the work we do. The need for our work has grown substantially over the last few years so we need your help to ensure we are able to grow with the critical need for change!
Financially we are a drop in the ocean compared to the gambling industry, yet this movement is picking up pace and thanks to you, change is happening.
All donations are tax-deductible.
Please note that we are legally obliged to record contact details such as your address and name. We also ask for your email and phone number so we can supply you with a receipt of your donation and to thank you for your support. We will never share your information with anyone outside the Alliance unless obligated to do so under the law.
You can also see all the latest media featuring the Alliance for Gambling Reform via our website.
You can also view our latest Media Releases.