ACT Independent Senator David Pocock has warned the Albanese Labor Government that any move to walk away from the core recommendation of the Murphy Review for a phased-in total ban of gambling advertising would be a huge betrayal and enable social harm to continue.
More than two years from the landmark report being handed down none of its 31 recommendations that received multipartisan support have been implemented. Today there are reports the Albanese Government is unlikely to adopt the core recommendation - to ban all gambling advertising.
“It’s time Labor used its super majority to deliver the social good our community is calling for by banning gambling advertising which some 80% of Australians support,” Senator Pocock said.
“I am deeply concerned that rather than listening to experts and the community, the Albanese Government is allowing betting companies to call the shots.
“The Albanese Government appears to be relying on ‘research’ commissioned by the gambling companies’ lobby group which one expert said is a blueprint for market development, not a consumer safety report.
“Every day I hear more tragic stories about how gambling is ruining people’s lives, especially young men who are already facing mental health challenges.
“The social media ban will not stop young people being targeted with gambling advertising and inducements.
“They will still be exposed to them on Netflix, Amazon Prime, during podcasts, while listening to music on Spotify and while watching sport..
“The Murphy review looked at this in incredible detail, heard days of testimony and this is why they came up with the recommendations they did - a full phased-in ban of gambling advertising. Partial bans do not work and can lead to an increase in gambling ads.”
The top recommendation from Responsible Wagering Australia’s ‘research’ is that gambling companies should pay less tax. ATO corporate tax transparency data does not list most online gambling companies but does show that:
- Tabcorp paid no company tax on $1.9 billion total income 2023-24
- Pointsbet have never paid company tax on $876 million income over the last 5 years.