Australia hits gambling advertising, advocates say not hard enough
Australia will ban celebrity-featured gambling ads and limit online ads to adults in 2027, but advocates argue the measures aren't strict enough.Summary
Australia announced new regulations on gambling advertisements, including a ban on celebrity endorsements and limiting online ads to users over 18 starting in 2027. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stated these rules represent the “most significant reform on gambling that has ever been implemented,” aiming to minimize children’s exposure to gambling harm. However, advocates like Tim Costello of the Alliance for Gambling Reform criticize the approach, arguing that requiring users to 'opt-out' of ads places the onus on parents rather than gambling companies. The reforms also include caps on ad frequency during certain hours and bans on branding at sports venues. Gambling was forecast to cost Australians US$23 billion last year, and despite the new measures, concerns remain about the adequacy of the response to this growing problem.
(Source：Rappler)