Federal Government Announces Public Hearing Into Restrictions on Gambling Ads

Canberra, ACT, Australia (February 8, 2023) — The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Social Policy and Legal Affairs will examine the effectiveness of current restrictions on gambling advertising and the promotion of online gambling at a public hearing on Friday, 10 February 2023, as part of its inquiry into online gambling and its impacts on those experiencing gambling harm.

Chair of the Committee, Peta Murphy MP, said ‘The Committee has received a lot of evidence about the strong and growing public support for increased restrictions on advertising, marketing, and promotion of online gambling products. Research presented to us indicates that saturation advertising increases online gambling harm and normalises gambling for children and young people.’

‘The Committee will hear from public health experts and peak bodies, advertising industry representatives, and broadcasters about whether the current regulatory system is meeting changing community expectations,’ Ms. Murphy said.

The Committee is considering whether current consumer protections around online gambling are enough to reduce harm. Ms. Murphy said, ‘We will also hear from individuals who have experienced gambling harm about the inducements and VIP offers they received despite their efforts to self-exclude and opt out of marketing communications from online gambling operators.’

Public hearing details:

Date: Friday, 10 February 2023
Time: 9.10 am to 4.30 pm AEDT
Location: Committee Room 1R3, Parliament House, Canberra, and via videoconference
Live stream: www.aph.gov.au/live
Program (all times AEDT):
9.10am–9.50am: Mr Aaron Smith
9.50am–10.30am: Mr Mark Kempster
10.40 am–11.20 am: Suicide Prevention Australia
11.20 am–12.00pm: Australian Health Promotion Association
12.40 pm–1.20 pm: Free TV Australia
1.20 pm–2.00 pm: SBS
2.10 pm–2.50 pm: Professor Samantha Thomas, Dr. Hannah Pitt, and Dr Simone McCarthy
2.50 pm–3.50 pm: Ad Standards; Australian Association of National Advertisers
3.50 pm–4.30 pm: Emeritus Professor Mike Daube
4.30 pm: Close

Further information about the inquiry, including published submissions, hearing dates, and transcripts, is available on the inquiry webpage.

SOURCE: B&T Magazine.