Australian Government’s Gambling Ad Ban Bill Delayed

The proposed legislation to ban gambling advertisements in Australia has been delayed until next year. The postponement is due to concerns about the ban’s impact on traditional media and sports in the country. 

According to the Australian news outlet SkyNews, Minister Rowland’s proposal has been postponed amid fears of significant financial losses for sports and traditional media if their agreements with gambling companies are terminated. Additionally, Employment Minister Murray Watt stated that there is not enough time to pass the legislation this year.

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Government Opposes a Complete Ban

A year ago, the Murphy Report was published in Australia, recommending, amongst other measures, a total ban on gambling advertisements. In response, Michelle Rowland, Australia’s Minister for Communications, sought advice from the Belgian Gambling Commission regarding the potential implications of such a ban.

During the summer, it became clear that the Australian government opposed a complete ban on gambling advertisements. Instead, the government of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese proposed a more flexible ban including specific limits on gambling ads on radio and television, whilst introducing a total ban on all forms of online gambling advertisements.

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Vulnerable Australians Targeted by Gambling Ads on Social Media

In November, research from the University of Queensland revealed that vulnerable Australians are being flooded with gambling ads on social media. A new study sheds light on how companies leverage data to specifically target this group. Researchers from the university found that individuals at higher risk of gambling-related harm are frequently exposed to gambling ads on Facebook, perpetuating the addictive cycle. According to Martin Thomas, director of the Alliance for Gambling Reform, gambling companies are engaging in “predatory” marketing practices. Caterina Giorgi, CEO of Fare, has called on the federal government to protect vulnerable people who are being profiled and targeted based on their addictions.

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Concerns Over Identity Fraud With Bowler Accounts

Amidst the potential reforms to advertising regulations, the government has issued warnings about gambling syndicates engaging in identity fraud through so-called “bowler accounts.” These syndicates purchase gambling accounts for $443 (443 AUD) and use fraudulent identification to make online wagers on accounts that were opened by other bettors. Successful gamblers often face restrictions, such as limits on their bets, leading these groups to exploit bowler accounts. ID Care, Australia’s identity and cyber support service, has warned that sharing personal information such as driver’s licenses, passports, and bank details can expose individuals to identity theft. The syndicates use social media to target players to sell their casino accounts promising to solely use their personal data for gambling purposes.

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