Tim Costello slams NRL and AFL for ignoring gambling problem
Date: 2024-09-30 Author: Robert Beloved Categories: PEOPLE
Gambling is considered a serious public health issue in Australia, with annual gambling losses reaching A$32 billion (US$21.6 billion), according to figures released by Statistics Queensland. In light of these facts, meaningful change is needed, and the time for action is now, according to one national organisation working to reduce gambling harm.
AFL and NRL profiting at the expense of fans
A new article by Costello was published in the Guardian on Monday, in which he shared his impressions of a recent meeting with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albani. He pointed to the growing revenue the NRL and AFL are making from gambling advertising, saying "the AFL and NRL are profiting from their fans and are embedding gambling advertising so deeply into their games that a new generation of fans are becoming susceptible to this addiction."
Costello stressed that the time for significant gambling reform is long overdue and that more needs to be done to protect Australians from the damaging effects of problem gambling.
Gambling reform has begun in the country, with a key focus being an inquiry into online gambling, which has produced recommendations. Although the Albany government received the results of this inquiry more than a year ago, most of the recommendations have yet to be implemented.
The government has introduced the BetStop program, a national self-exclusion system to help people limit their access to gambling. Changes to a ban on the use of credit cards for gambling are also being discussed.
However, a blanket ban on gambling advertising, despite being one of the recommendations, has yet to be implemented. Amid calls for a comprehensive ban on gambling advertising, the AFL could be one of the organisations most affected. The league could lose around A$120 million (US$80 million) annually if such a ban is implemented.
Albani 'only sees what he wants to see'
In financial terms, billions are lost to gambling in Australia and families across the country are suffering from gambling addiction. This highlights the need for significant reform to tackle gambling harm.
Despite the negative impact of gambling, Costello says the Prime Minister "only seems to see what he wants to see". The Alliance for Gambling Reform chief advocate claims Albani "only seems to believe the data he hears from the gambling lobby, major sporting bodies and broadcasters".
Costello points to claims by gambling lobbyists that Australia's main problem is with lotteries and slot machines, not gambling advertising. However, recent research has shown that losses from slot machines have increased by 7.6%, while losses from betting have risen by 55%.
“It’s time the Prime Minister listened to Australians, not the likes of the AFL and NRL or the gambling industry with their exorbitant wages,” wrote the chief advocate of the Alliance for Gambling Reform.
Despite calls for comprehensive gambling reform, it may be several years before Australia introduces such changes. This is due to contractual relationships between sports leagues and broadcasters, which could trigger legal implications. However, if lawmakers consider changes at a national level, such as a comprehensive ban on gambling advertising, it will be difficult to challenge the government’s regulations
