David Pocock calls for complete ban on gambling advertising, slamming 'vested interests' and Labor's half measures
David Pocock criticizes proposed gambling ad reforms as insufficient, advocating for a complete ban to protect Australians from gambling addiction.Summary
Independent Senator David Pocock has strongly condemned the Australian Labor government's proposed gambling advertising reforms, deeming them “infuriating” and inadequate. While the reforms include capping ads on television and banning them during school hours and on certain platforms, Pocock argues that “partial bans don't work.” He accuses the government of prioritizing “vested interests” over public health, citing the normalization of gambling and its devastating impact on individuals and families. Pocock proposes a complete ban on gambling advertising, funded by a levy on bets, to compensate sporting codes for lost revenue. He contends that a full ban would be cheaper and more effective, aligning with the recommendations of the Murphy review. He further argues that sport should prioritize community and enjoyment over gambling revenue, suggesting a levy on bets could even increase funding for grassroots and women's sports. Other parliamentarians, including Simon Kennedy, Kate Chaney, and Sarah Hanson Young, have also expressed disappointment with the reforms, calling them “underwhelming” and “feeble half measures.”
(Source：ABC (Australian Broadcasting Corporation))