Michelle Rowland, the Shadow Minister for Communications, has proposed a comprehensive approach to banning gambling advertisements in Australia. Rowland believes that the current regulations are not doing enough to protect vulnerable individuals from the harmful effects of gambling advertising, and that a more comprehensive ban is needed to limit the exposure of such ads to the general public.
In a recent statement, Rowland said, “The current regulations around gambling advertising are inadequate and are failing to protect those who are most vulnerable to its harmful effects. We need to take a more comprehensive approach to banning these ads, in order to reduce the negative impact they have on our society.”
Rowland’s proposal includes banning all gambling advertisements during live sporting events, as well as implementing a blanket ban on all gambling promotions before 8:30pm. She also wants to see stricter regulations on online gambling advertisements, to prevent them from targeting children and vulnerable individuals.
Many advocates for gambling reform have praised Rowland’s proposal, saying that a more comprehensive approach is necessary to combat the influence of gambling ads in the community. Tim Costello, the Chief Advocate for the Alliance for Gambling Reform, said, “Michelle Rowland’s proposal is a step in the right direction towards reducing the harm caused by gambling advertising. We need stronger regulations to protect vulnerable individuals from the lure of these ads.”
However, not everyone is in favor of Rowland’s plan. The Australian Wagering Council, a lobbying group for the gambling industry, has criticized the proposal, arguing that it would have a negative impact on their businesses. They have called for a more targeted approach to regulating gambling advertisements, rather than a blanket ban.
Despite the opposition, Rowland remains steadfast in her belief that a comprehensive approach is necessary to address the issue of gambling advertising in Australia. She has called on the government to take action and implement stricter regulations to protect the public from the harmful effects of these ads.
As the debate continues, it remains to be seen whether Rowland’s proposal will be adopted by the government. In the meantime, advocates for gambling reform are hopeful that her comprehensive approach will lead to positive change in the regulation of gambling advertisements in Australia.