Swift action to stop gambling harms - don't bet on it
A report on gambling harms has been ignored for 1000 days, prompting advocates to push for urgent government intervention.Summary
A landmark report on gambling harms, delivered by the late Peta Murphy in June 2023, has sat unimplemented for 1000 days. The report contained 31 recommendations, including phasing out online gambling advertising, curbing inducements, and establishing a national framework, none of which have been addressed by the government. While the government points to measures like banning credit cards and introducing new ad taglines, advocates argue these are insufficient. A private member's bill to ban online gambling ads is being introduced by Kate Chaney, and research highlights gambling companies' increasing efforts to appeal to young women through celebrity endorsements and inducements. Experts warn that gambling causes significant harm, with Australians losing $31.5 billion annually, and criticize the government's inaction as shameful.
(Source：The Canberra Times)