Australia Recommends Online Gambling Advertising Ban To Reduce Young Generation Destruction

Online gambling in Australia is considered worrying. (photo: dock. pexels)

JAKARTA - An investigative parliamentary committee recommended on Wednesday 28 June that Australia should stop advertising online gambling in the next three years, with the aim of limiting the "destroy" it caused in one of the world's largest betting markets.

The committee makes 31 recommendations on how online gambling, which it says has changed the sport culture, must be regulated and how Australians who are addicted should get help and support.

"Australians spend more money on online gambling than other citizens," said Peta Murphy, committee chairman, in a report entitled "You win a few, you lose more".

"This is causing destruction in our society," Murphy said.

Murphy said that online gambling companies intentionally and strategically advertising along with sports, thus viewing them as fun, harmless, and social activities.

"The young Australian generation sees gambling and sport as inseparable," Murphy said, adding that this was changing the sport culture.

"Australia will be destroyed if sport is dominated by gambling income, giving the impression that its main goal is to gamble," said Murphy.

According to the panel, a gradual and comprehensive ban on all gambling advertisements in all media, both broadcast and online, is required, which provides no loopholes for avoidance.

The panel recommends that the ban be implemented in stages over three years so that sporting bodies and broadcasting have sufficient time to find sources of alternative advertising revenue.

The ban will be a major blow to online gambling companies such as London-listed Flutter Entertainment PLC - Australia's most popular betting app owner Sportsbet, Enter PLC - third-ranked Ladbrokes app owner, and Tabcorp Holdings.

Australia is the country with the largest gambling loss per person in the world. The gambling industry in the country has been in the spotlight in recent years, with a public investigation criticizing major casino operators for failing to protect against money laundering.

The gambling problem has shifted significantly to online platforms, especially when the COVID-19 pandemic forced the closure of public places.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the government would consider the recommendation.

"We need to deal with online issues, we need to deal with social media issues, we need to handle them comprehensively," Albanese said in an ABC Gold Coast radio interview.