Reformists rail at Australia ad ban delays as under-16 social media rules come into effect
Chief advocate Tim Costello highlights speed at which under-16 social media ban was introduced and asks why gambling reform has yet to take place in a timely manner
The Alliance for Gambling Reform has questioned why the Australian government was able to implement a social media ban for children in six weeks but has yet to introduce restrictions on gambling ads.
The group, which has been one of the most vocal reformist bodies Down Under, highlighted the efficiency in which the Albanese government introduced regulation which means children under the age of 16 can no longer use social media – the first country in the world to do implement such a policy.
In August 2023, the late Labor MP Peta Murphy released a 31-page report which encouraged a blanket ban on all gambling adverts, which has yet to garner any change in regulation.
The Australian government has reportedly considered introducing a cap system, with the Guardian reporting last week that communications minister Michelle Rowland apologised for the ongoing delay to gambling ad reform.
Tim Costello, chief advocate for the Alliance of Gambling Reform, said there is frustration due to a lack of urgency in implementing Murphy’s recommendations and that parents will have similar concerns over children’s access to gambling ads as they would social media.
In a video interview with ABC News Australia, Costello said: “I am very, very frustrated that we have not had a response to her [Peta Murphy MP] inquiry that was multi-partisan in the recommendations.
“Within almost six weeks, we can get through world-first legislation on a social media ban.
“But the same anxiety parents have about their kids on social media is precisely the same anxiety about their kids with gambling apps, their kids seeing gambling ads, them having to explain to their 10-year-olds what a multi is. It’s precisely the same anxiety.”
Costello added that when the Albanese government says implementing an ad ban is complex, what they really mean is they are struggling to stand up to the Australian Football League (AFL) and National Rugby League (NRL).
Highlighting how European countries, such as Italy, that have introduced a blanket ban, Costello said the issue of banning gambling ads should not be a difficult one.
Costello commented: “The difference is when they use the code word complexity is that the traditional media in Australia, Seven with all the AFL sports betting ads, Nine with all the NRL sports betting ads, Foxtel with sports betting ads, they were cheering the social media ban because it was Facebook, Meta and X.
“They are the ones who are benefiting from the sports betting ads. The complexity is the government won’t actually stand up to them and to the AFL and NRL.
“That’s what the complexity is. It’s no more complex than that because we have a number of European nations that have banned the ads. It’s working. Saying children shouldn’t see that complexity is just an excuse for fear of vested interest.”
While Italy has implemented an ad ban, operators have been able to circumnavigate sponsorship regulations by placing information or news sites on football teams’ jerseys or in stadiums. These include Betsson with Inter Milan, with the club sporting the Betsson.sport infotainment portal as its front-of-shirt sponsor.
Last week, Australia’s minister for sport Anika Wells said the reforms were not “ready to go” and that any changes will be delayed until 2025.