The Australian Medical Association (AMA) has highlighted its support for a blanket ban on online gambling ads. Echoing its previous stance, the association asked the government to implement a complete ban within three years.
In an official post on its site, the AMA said that a prohibition of adverts promoting online gambling products would be in line with the unanimous recommendations contained in the recent “You win some, you lose more” parliamentary inquiry report.
You win some, you lose more is one of the multiple reports in recent weeks that have asked the government to do something about the over-abundance of gambling advertising. Proponents of such restrictions have argued that this would shield at-risk players from harm and prevent children from associating sports with gambling.
However, the last recommendations have seen the government mull over a partial ban or ads cap instead, to the dismay of activists who wish for a more substantial measure.
Professor Steve Robson Says the Ads Must Stop
AMA President Professor Steve Robson commented on the matter, saying that the softer position on gambling ads is “extremely disappointing.” He expressed a firm belief that only a comprehensive ban would make a difference.
Anything less than a comprehensive ban on online gambling advertising will do nothing to protect Australians falling into the grips of gambling addiction.
Steve Robson
Robson further elaborated that a less drastic change would provide gambling operators with ways to exploit the system.
If you give these betting companies any kind of wriggle room with advertisements, they will exploit it. We saw this with the vaping industry, and similar scenes are now playing out with gambling.
Steve Robson
In an earlier interview with ABC Radio, Robson emphasized the importance of protecting vulnerable players from being bombarded with gambling ads. He added that this would also prevent the “very impressionable” young Australians.
The advertising during sporting events is so insidious because you have that capacity to link online gambling to something that ought to be healthy.
Steve Robson
The AMA added that Australian gamblers lose roughly AUD 25 billion on gambling each year. This figure earns the country the top 1 spot when it comes to gambling losses per capita.
