Australian rugby league fans are being urged to be wary of the impact that NRL gambling advertisements may have on vulnerable communities in the Pacific, as concerns grow that Australia’s “addiction” to betting is being exported to the region.
A recent report by the Pacific Media Centre highlighted the prevalence of NRL gambling ads during live matches broadcast in the Pacific, with some countries reportedly receiving up to 175 hours of gambling-related content per year. This has raised fears that the normalization of betting within Australian sporting matches could be leading to an increase in problem gambling among Pacific Islanders.
The report also highlighted the potential harm that these ads could be causing, particularly in countries where access to support services for gambling addiction is limited. Dr. Emeline Siale Ilolahia, director of the Pacific Islands News Association, warned that the influx of betting advertising could exacerbate existing social issues in the region.
“We have to be mindful that we are dealing with communities who do not have the same level of support services available to them, like in Australia. We are dealing with communities with high levels of poverty and unemployment, and where gambling can have devastating consequences,” Dr. Ilolahia said.
The concerns about the impact of NRL gambling ads in the Pacific come as Australia grapples with its own gambling addiction crisis. According to a report by the Australian Gambling Research Centre, Australians lose more money per capita on gambling than any other country in the world, with sports betting accounting for a significant portion of these losses.
Campaigners have called on the NRL to take responsibility for the potential harm that its gambling partnerships may be causing in the Pacific, with some arguing that the league should ban gambling ads altogether.
In response, the NRL has defended its partnerships with gambling companies, stating that they are necessary for the financial sustainability of the sport. However, the league has also pledged to review its advertising policies in light of the concerns raised by the Pacific Media Centre report.
As the debate over the impact of NRL gambling ads in the Pacific continues, experts are urging both Australia and the Pacific to work together to address the root causes of problem gambling and to ensure that vulnerable communities are protected from the harmful effects of betting. Only then can the region hope to break free from the grip of Australia’s gambling addiction.