Minister Bill Shorten has cast doubt on the prospect of a total ban on gambling advertising in Australia, in the latest sign that the federal government may not adopt the full recommendations of the 2023 Murphy report.
According to iGaming Business, Shorten, who is the minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme, spoke on ABC's Q+A program on 12 August. "I'm not convinced that complete prohibition works," he said.
"I'm not convinced that complete prohibition works." – Bill Shorten, speaking on ABC's Q+A, 12 August
Media revenue and social networks
Shorten argued that Australia had arrived at a "wicked situation" in which, in his words, "some of the free-to-air media need gambling ad revenue at any time in order just to stay afloat." He also said he did not want Facebook or Mark Zuckerberg "in charge of my news feeds", adding that Zuckerberg was "not even paying the Australian media for what they report." Those are the minister's statements and arguments, not independently verified findings.
What the government is reportedly weighing
The source says the government is "reportedly" considering capping gambling ads on TV and radio at two per hour until 10pm, along with a ban on ads before and after live sports broadcasts. These details have not been confirmed by the government in the source material, which does not say who is behind the reports or when any decision is expected.
iGaming Business also reports that the government is likely to enforce a total ban on digital advertising, in line with the recommendations of the late MP Peta Murphy. Shorten said the government should focus on stopping gambling ads "infiltrating the digital markets."
He said the government wanted to look at "what's the exposure to kids, how we avoid normalising gambling and also how do we make sure that when you watch sport, watch sport." He also hinted at measures to restrict in-stadium advertising and sports sponsorships, saying the government was working with ministers "on the other forms of the promotion of gambling." No specific proposals on sponsorships were detailed in the source.
Political reaction
The article says there has been widespread condemnation of the apparent roll-back from several high-profile politicians, including former rugby international David Pocock. It does not detail their individual statements.
The Liberal Party's shadow minister for finance and public services, Jane Hume, also appeared on the panel. She said the opposition supports banning gambling ads during sports telecasts, including pre- and post-show restrictions, but did not go as far as calling for an outright ban on TV and radio advertising. A blanket ban has been supported by former Liberal prime minister John Howard. When pressed, Hume said: "Our policy is to ban it during sports telecasts, because that's where it is. That's where families are sitting with their kids. That's what kids are watching."
What is not known
The source does not say when the government will announce its final position, what penalties might apply, or how any rules would be enforced. It also does not specify which gambling products the proposed limits would cover. Online casino services remain prohibited in Australia under the Interactive Gambling Act 2001, and the advertising debate described here concerns the wider gambling advertising landscape rather than any offshore site. Pokiestralia will report on any formal announcement.