The Australian government may not sanction a total online gambling advertising ban due to the under-16s social media ban, leading to uproar from MPs and senators Down Under.
The Australian Financial Review reported on Thursday, 20 November, that Labor could curtail a full ban, as outlined in the late Peta Murphy’s report from 2023.
Murphy’s recommendation among 31 bullet points was a phased blanket ban on gambling advertising over a three-year period.
The newspaper reported that the under-16s social media ban, which will come into effect on 10 December, would help stop children seeing betting ads.
The under-16s social media ban includes Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, X and Reddit.
Australia’s internet regulator has claimed there are 150,000 Facebook users and 350,000 users on Instagram in the 13-15 age bracket.
The government has yet to directly respond to Murphy’s report, although it proposed a cap system in 2024 which would limit channels to two gambling ads per hour until 10pm.
However, the latest rumblings from Canberra around ads has seen reformists and MPs bang the drum for a full ban.
Speaking to the Guardian, Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said: “Going soft on banning digital and online advertising will leave families vulnerable to the gambling industry vultures.”
“We need a full ban on gambling advertising as recommended in the Murphy report.”
Independent MP Kate Chaney added: “Labor’s retreat from gambling reform is a gift to the gambling lobby and a betrayal of families who are already paying the price.”
In April, during the run-up to the Australian federal elections, Labor MP Jerome Laxale expressed disappointment that his own party had not fully implemented the recommendations laid out in the Murphy inquiry.
Post-Labor victory, Albanese hit back against claims his government had been slow to act in parliament, citing measures such as a credit card ban and monthly win/loss statements.
The post Australia’s under-16s social media block could reduce gambling ad ban reach first appeared on EGR Intel.
Crossbenchers increase pressure on government to fully implement the policy proposals, amid reports that upcoming legislation could see Labor veto a blanket ad ban
The post Australia’s under-16s social media block could reduce gambling ad ban reach first appeared on EGR Intel.