This article is an instalment in a new series, Punted, on the government’s failure to reform gambling advertising.
It seems Australia’s TV networks will continue to access hundreds of millions in revenue from gambling companies for the foreseeable future. As reported by the Nine papers over the weekend, the Albanese government is expected to considerably water down the recommendation of a parliamentary inquiry, chaired by the late Labor MP Peta Murphy, to ban gambling ads across television, radio, newspapers and online within three years.
Labor will reportedly announce a blanket ban across social media and a cap on TV advertising — a max of two gambling ads per hour on each channel until 10pm, and no ads for an hour before and after live matches. But it falls well short of what advocates in and out of the party wanted.
One group that will be exceedingly pleased, though, is Australia’s mainstream media. In today’s Paint by Numbers, we break down the media’s gambling problem and the fight that Labor is trying to avoid.
Total revenue made by free-to-air TV networks from advertising in 2007: $7.7 billion
Total revenue made by free-to-air TV networks from advertising in 2022: $3.2 billion
Amount spent by the gambling industry advertising in all Australian media in 2007: $53 million
Amount spent by the gambling industry advertising in all Australian media in 2022: $300.5 million
Amount spent by the gambling industry on TV advertising in 2022: $186 million
Amount spent by the gambling industry on free-to-air television, metro radio and online ads between May 2022 and April 2023: $238.63 million
Percentage of that spending made by online gambling providers: 64%
Number of adverts for online gaming services on free-to-air television and metro radio in that time: 502,800
Estimated drop in gambling industry advertising spend at Nine Entertainment and Seven West Media since the announcement in June 2023 of a potential ban on online gambling ads: $20 million each
Drop in Nine Entertainment’s profits last year: 40%
Amount spent by the gambling industry on advertising on metro radio stations between May 2022 and April 2023: $22.4 million
Amount Sportsbet spent on TV advertising in the 18 months leading up to July 2023: $64 million
Number of gambling ads per day on free-to-air television in Victoria in 2021: 948
Estimated prevalence of online gambling among adults in 2010-11: 8.1%
Estimated prevalence of online gambling among adults in 2019: 17.5%
Percentage of Australians placing bets on online gambling platforms between July 2023 and July 2024: 33.4%
Amount The Daily Telegraph receives from Racing NSW each year: between $8 million and $10 million
Number of people who regularly bet online on sports and/or races who are classified as “at risk of gambling harm”, according to a 2022 survey by the Australian Institute of Family Studies: 68.4%
Number of peopled aged 18-34 who regularly bet online on sports and/or races who are classified as “at risk of gambling harm” by the same survey: 81.9%
Estimated percentage of bets placed by “problem gamblers” in the 12 months to March 2024: 34%
Amount Sportsbet donated to Communications Minister Michelle Rowland, who is responsible for implementing any ban on gambling advertising, prior to the 2022 election: $19,000
Total gambling losses by Australians every year: $25 billion
Anyone affected by problem gambling can get immediate assistance by calling the National Gambling Helpline on 1800 858 858 for free, professional and confidential support 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Should Labor back a blanket ban on gambling advertising? Let us know your thoughts by writing to letters@crikey.com.au. Please include your full name to be considered for publication. We reserve the right to edit for length and clarity.
