Media release
For immediate release 4 August 2024
All gambling ads must go!
While welcoming news today that the government is considering a blanket ban on social media betting ads, Wesley Mission is extremely disappointed to hear gambling ads may continue to pollute our TV screens into the future. This follows reports the federal government is pushing back on the crucial multi-partisan Murphy Inquiry recommendation to ban all gambling advertising.
“While we welcome news of a total ban on digital gambling advertising, allowing TV advertising to continue, even in a reduced form, is out of step with the overwhelming public appetite for a total ban on gambling advertising,” said Wesley Mission CEO Rev Stu Cameron.
“At Wesley Mission we deal daily with those individuals, families and communities experiencing gambling harm. We are also conscious of the growing community anger at the saturation levels of gambling advertising our nation is being subjected to. We will experience that even more in coming months as footy finals kick off and the spring racing carnival commences.
“Wesley Mission believes that nothing short of the full adoption of all 31 Murphy Inquiry recommendations is needed to protect Australians from a dangerous and predatory industry, including the phased banning of all gambling advertising within three years.
“Simply applying additional restrictions to gambling advertising will not reduce the devastating levels of gambling harm currently being experienced, nor will it address the concerns of parents trying to protect their kids from the predatory gambling industry.
“We’re conscious that gambling and media industries, together with compromised sporting codes, have been lobbying hard against an advertising ban, but the role of government is to act in the best interests of the Australian people and not the financial interest of organisations profiting from gambling harm.
“Community outrage about gambling advertising and its effects is palpable. The government has a once in a generation opportunity to protect Australian families and meet their expectation that real and lasting change will result from the outcome of the Murphy Inquiry.”
ENDS
Wesley Mission CEO, Stu Cameron is available for interview
Media contacts: Anne Holt on 0418 628 342 or anne.holt@wesleymission.org.au
Wesley Mission provides practical care and support for more than 130,000 people annually in NSW and across Australia, including help for people experiencing homelessness, local community action groups preventing suicide, and gambling and financial counselling among more than 120 programs. www.wesleymission.org.au
