The list of signatories includes former Prime Ministers John Howard and Malcolm Turnbull, alongside notable individuals from various sectors.

A group of influential Australians, including former prime ministers and state premiers, has signed an open letter urging the federal government to implement a comprehensive ban on all gambling advertising within three years. The letter, which was made public on 10 August by the Alliance for Gambling Reform, stresses the urgent need for stronger regulatory measures to address the nation’s growing gambling problems.

Former Prime Ministers Unite to Tackle Australia’s Gambling Crisis

The signatories, numbering over 60, include former prime ministers John Howard and Malcolm Turnbull, as well as other prominent figures from a range of sectors. Their call to action is rooted in the recommendations of the Murphy Report, a 2023 parliamentary inquiry chaired by the late MP Peta Murphy, which proposed extensive reforms to combat the harmful effects of online gambling in Australia.

The open letter presents a grim view of the current situation, declaring that “Australia has a gambling addiction” that is causing severe social harm. According to the letter, Australians lose approximately $25 billion annually to gambling, which contributes to a host of serious issues, including financial hardship, mental health crises, domestic violence, family breakdowns, and even suicide.

The letter also highlights a particularly concerning issue: the impact of gambling adverts on young people. The signatories claim that gambling companies are increasingly targeting children, with those as young as 14 being exposed to a significant volume of adverts on social media. They warn that this is cultivating a new generation of gamblers who are being ensnared by aggressive marketing tactics.

Millions of Gambling Adverts Normalise Risk for Australian Youth

The letter references a shocking figure from Nielsen research, which found that Australian free-to-air TV and radio broadcast one million gambling adverts in a single year. This deluge of gambling promotion during sports programmes has raised concerns about the normalisation of gambling for young viewers in Australian culture.

In a statement accompanying the letter, former Prime Minister John Howard expressed his concern over the ubiquity of gambling adverts in Australia. He noted that many Australians are deeply troubled by the constant presence of these adverts on their screens and the significant losses from gambling, which he believes are harming communities across the country.

The letter calls on the government and opposition to implement all 31 recommendations from the Murphy Report. This includes a phased ban on gambling adverts over three years and the prohibition of promotions and incentives, particularly those linked to sports betting. The signatories argue that anything short of a complete ban will fail to protect Australian children from the harmful effects of gambling.

As the government faces mounting pressure from these prominent figures, the debate over the future of gambling regulation in Australia is set to escalate. Whether the Albanese administration will fully adopt the recommendations of the Murphy Report remains to be seen.

Meanwhile, the Australian government is advancing plans to limit gambling adverts during general television programming, despite calls for a total ban from health advocates, politicians, and community groups concerned about the impact on vulnerable populations. The proposal faces opposition from sectors such as sports leagues and media companies, which fear revenue losses.