Australian MPs call for Parliament to investigate gambling advertising
Date: 2023-10-04 Author: Kirill Zagoruyko Categories: EVENTS
Australian MPs are concerned about the growing number of young people seeking professional help for their gambling problems. According to The Guardian, this number has increased by 16% over the past year, demonstrating the dangers of being exposed to gambling content from a young age.
Guardian Australia surveyed young people in the country and found many who gamble were now struggling with depression, debt and relationship problems. In addition, research shows that gambling addiction can lead to crime and sometimes suicide.
As a result of this report, Dr Sophie Scamps called for an urgent parliamentary inquiry into the impact of gambling advertising on minors and young people. The measure was supported by the Greens and other independent MPs.
Scamps argued that intervention was needed before rampant advertising created a generation of gambling addicts. She criticized the normalization of gambling advertising, saying gambling harm was becoming increasingly common among school-aged children.
Scamps added that even people who don't gamble and just want to enjoy sports are constantly exposed to advertising. She concluded that the problem "will only get worse unless the government intervenes."
Supporters of the investigation voiced their thoughts
Emma McBride, Australia's assistant minister for mental health, responded to Scamp's call for an urgent investigation, saying the government would consider the proposal. She said the Government remained firmly committed to protecting vulnerable consumers from harm.
According to The Guardian, experts remain unconvinced that current measures are enough. Public health experts say better education campaigns and a ban on sports gambling sponsorship are needed to tackle Australia's gambling problem.
However, any proposed measures are met with fierce resistance from the gambling industry, said Member of Parliament Kate Cheney, saying gambling companies are lobbying for tougher restrictions. She said that "the idea of personal responsibility doesn't work when the fight isn't fair," referring to the fact that operators use professional marketing agencies and tactics to exploit customer behavior.
Zoe Daniel and Janet Rice, other supporters of Scamp's measure, warned that many young people were obsessed with online gambling, causing suffering for their families and communities. Rice criticized the gambling industry's lobbying efforts and called for the creation of a National Independent Gambling Regulator, a hot topic in the Australian gaming industry.
Andrew Wilkie also commented on the issue, saying that the political gambling industry was a concern. Monique Ryan, on the other hand, stated that all addictions are harmful and that the government should take the issue more seriously.
Guardian Australia surveyed young people in the country and found many who gamble were now struggling with depression, debt and relationship problems. In addition, research shows that gambling addiction can lead to crime and sometimes suicide.
As a result of this report, Dr Sophie Scamps called for an urgent parliamentary inquiry into the impact of gambling advertising on minors and young people. The measure was supported by the Greens and other independent MPs.
Scamps argued that intervention was needed before rampant advertising created a generation of gambling addicts. She criticized the normalization of gambling advertising, saying gambling harm was becoming increasingly common among school-aged children.
Scamps added that even people who don't gamble and just want to enjoy sports are constantly exposed to advertising. She concluded that the problem "will only get worse unless the government intervenes."
Supporters of the investigation voiced their thoughts
Emma McBride, Australia's assistant minister for mental health, responded to Scamp's call for an urgent investigation, saying the government would consider the proposal. She said the Government remained firmly committed to protecting vulnerable consumers from harm.
According to The Guardian, experts remain unconvinced that current measures are enough. Public health experts say better education campaigns and a ban on sports gambling sponsorship are needed to tackle Australia's gambling problem.
However, any proposed measures are met with fierce resistance from the gambling industry, said Member of Parliament Kate Cheney, saying gambling companies are lobbying for tougher restrictions. She said that "the idea of personal responsibility doesn't work when the fight isn't fair," referring to the fact that operators use professional marketing agencies and tactics to exploit customer behavior.
Zoe Daniel and Janet Rice, other supporters of Scamp's measure, warned that many young people were obsessed with online gambling, causing suffering for their families and communities. Rice criticized the gambling industry's lobbying efforts and called for the creation of a National Independent Gambling Regulator, a hot topic in the Australian gaming industry.
Andrew Wilkie also commented on the issue, saying that the political gambling industry was a concern. Monique Ryan, on the other hand, stated that all addictions are harmful and that the government should take the issue more seriously.
