Gambling Reforms Pushed Ahead in Honour of Late MP

A billboard advertising a popular sports betting site is seen along a highway in Nairobi, on November 8, 2017. The popularity of football, among other sports betting is fast rising across Kenya and Africa in unprecedented fashion, with a share of the unemployed seeking out the new craze as a substitute for employment aided by the ease of betting on mobile phone applications. / AFP PHOTO / TONY KARUMBA Photo credit should read TONY KARUMBA/AFP via Getty Images

Online gambling policies have been revisited following the death of federal Labor MP Peta Murphy, who advocated against online gambling during her time in office.

Ms. Murphy, who strongly supported the removal of online gambling advertisements in all forms, passed away earlier this month due to a long battle with breast cancer.

“Gambling advertising and simulated gambling through video games, is grooming children and young people to gamble and encourages riskier behaviour,” the late Ms. Murphy stated during the release of the “You win some you lose more” report.

The report includes 31 recommendations to reduce the harm online gambling was causing Australians, including a three year phasing ban on all online gambling advertisement, a harm reduction levy on online wagering service providers (WSPs), and an online gambling ombudsman.

Her death has sparked a renewed push for shutting down online gambling advertisements.

CEO of the Alliance for Gambling Reform Carol Bennett and chief advocate Tim Costello wrote to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in a letter requesting Ms. Murphy be honoured through a reinvestment in removing advertisement of online gambling.

“This is an opportunity to honour the work of Peta, to create a legacy that not only acknowledges her hard work and dedication but also one that will greatly reduce gambling harm,” they said.

Australians lose more than $25 billion (US$17 billion) a year to gambling, more losses per capita than any other country in the world.

A spike in online gambling has resulted from companies and sports teams advertisements of online gambling sites.

Most National Rugby League (NRL) teams are partnered with betting or gambling companies, with some even being visible on jerseys. Some NRL stadiums are also named after betting organisations such as PointsBet stadium.

A many as one million gambling ads ran on free-to-air television and on social media between May 2022 and June 2023.

The letter further touched on the removal of these advertisements in order to allow addicts to escape the pressure of gambling.

“It is now time to resist the pressure of big gambling and other vested interests and adopt the recommendations of the parliamentary inquiry” the letter stated.

“We are deeply thankful for the amazing work and dedication of the Federal Labor MP for Dunkley, Peta Murphy.”

Another issue is financial pressure around Christmas and the trap of believing that gambling will help addicts afford their holiday spending.

“The evidence shows those gambling more at Christmas are typically those who are experiencing greatest financial hardship,” Ms. Bennett said.

“They are sold the hope they can solve all their problems with a win—it is a cruel lie that devastates too many lives.”