Gambling advertising has come under heavy criticism in recent years. Detractors maintain that these adverts can put vulnerable players and young people at risk. As a result, we’ve seen an increasing number of restrictions put in place worldwide, and the upcoming Australian gambling advertising reforms serve as a prime example.
However, recent reports suggest that the Australian gambling advertising reforms are set to be delayed. Let’s take a look at what the reforms might look like and when we can expect to see them rolled out.
What Will the Reforms Involve?
In today’s world, advertising comes in many forms. The traditional channels, such as TV, magazine and radio, are still alive and well, but these now exist alongside more modern forms, such as social media. For regulators, this makes controlling and monitoring advertising much more difficult, as it’s now a much broader and more complex landscape.
The proposed Australian gambling advertising reforms were a direct result of a report published in 2023. In this report, a number of recommendations were made to more effectively regulate gambling advertising and reduce rates of associated harm.
While exact details of what the reforms will involve are yet to be officially confirmed, they are widely believed to include a ban on gambling ads before, during and after sports events, as well as a complete ban on ads during TV programmes aimed at children.
In addition, there are rumours that there could be a blanket ban on digital gambling advertising. This would be a significant move that would leave the industry reeling.
Why Have They Been Delayed?
Initially, authorities reported that the Australian gambling advertising reforms would be rolled out in 2024. However, it would appear this timeframe isn’t going to be met, and the reasons for the delay remain unclear.
Australia’s Sports Minister, Anika Wells, has claimed that the reforms have been delayed to give the government more time to work with sports stakeholders, in the hopes a compromise that suits all parties will be reached.
However, this was refuted by another government source, who countered that the real reason behind the delay was that the proposed legislation has thus far failed to gather the required level of senate support.
When Will They Be Rolled Out?
According to the government, we can now expect to see the Australian gambling advertising reforms rolled out sometime in 2025. However, given the lack of clarity around the reasons for the delay and exactly what the reforms will involve, we could see this proposed date pushed back even further.
Activists and anti-gambling groups will be keen to see the reforms introduced quickly and will be hoping for the strictest regulations possible. On the other hand, operators will hope for more lenient reforms. Pressure from these two opposing groups could lead to a deadlock.
Conclusion
While the Australian gambling advertising reforms have been delayed, they clearly indicate shifting attitudes towards the advertising of gambling products and services. We can certainly expect to see similar legislation passed in countries around the world.
