Australia Weighs Total Gambling Ad Ban

Added: February 28, 2024

Australia under pressure to curb gambling ads after talks with Belgian and UK regulators. Will they follow Belgium’s lead with a total ban?

Push for Gambling Ad Ban Grows

The Australian government is facing increasing pressure to implement stricter gambling advertising regulations following a meeting between Communications Minister Michelle Rowland and regulators from Belgium and the UK. The discussions centered on adopting measures to reduce the harmful effects of online wagering, including the possibility of a total ban on gambling advertisements.

Belgium, known for its stringent gambling regulations, has already implemented a comprehensive ban on gambling ads across various media channels. Additionally, the country has introduced weekly deposit limits and stringent customer safety checks. Rowland’s meeting with Belgian and UK regulators aimed to gain insights into their successful strategies and possibly replicate them in Australia.

Australia Considers Belgian Approach

Advocates for gambling reform, such as Financial Counselling Australia and the Alliance for Gambling Reform, are hopeful that Rowland’s engagement with international regulators will bolster efforts to introduce similar measures in Australia. They cite Belgium’s effective ban on gambling advertisements as a model for the country to emulate.

Despite these positive developments, the Australian government, under Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, remains cautious. Albanese emphasized the importance of avoiding unintended consequences while devising a comprehensive strategy to mitigate gambling harm.

The recent meetings with Belgian and UK regulators have injected optimism among proponents of stricter gambling regulations in Australia. They believe that Rowland’s consultations with countries known for their robust public health approaches to gambling will pave the way for meaningful change in Australia’s gambling landscape.

While progress is being made in addressing gambling-related harm in Australia, the government’s approach is characterized by deliberation and a commitment to ensuring the best outcomes for the community. The outcomes of these discussions are eagerly awaited by stakeholders invested in promoting responsible gambling practices in the country.

Australia, iGaming