The research is clear — gambling ads are more than annoying they’re extremely harmful, particularly for kids.
Fast facts:
- Sports wagering is the fastest-growing form of gambling in Australia, doubling in the five years to 2017-2018, with losses now exceeding more than $1.2 billion annually (and turnover about 10 times that).
- Just over half of Australians who gamble online are at risk or already experiencing gambling-related harm.
- Gambling advertising and inducements are known to encourage riskier betting, increase the amount of money bet, and elicit excitement that encourages people to bet even when they don’t want to.
- 3/4 of Australian children aged 8–16 years who watch sport think betting on sport is normal and can also name one or more sports betting companies (25% can name four or more).
- One in three high school students report they have already gambled, with students who reported a mental health condition also more likely to report they had gambled in the previous month.
- Despite tighter restrictions introduced during live sport in 2018, the total volume of gambling advertising has increased on television and radio by 50%, with $503.7 million collectively spent on marketing since the ban was introduced.
- Kids are considered high ‘consumers’ of the average 374 gambling ads on free-to-air TV a day, nearly half report noticing gambling advertising on television during sports and racing events at least weekly.
- The gambling industry spent $273.2 million on advertising in Australia in 2018, up from $89.7 million in 2011.
- Almost 3/4 of Australian parents reported being ‘bothered’ by their children being exposed to gambling ads.
- 86% of Australians agree that gambling adverting should not be shown to children while online.
Just like tobacco advertising, gambling ads are harmful and should be eliminated from our airwaves.