A new Australian Labor government has started a widespread crackdown on gambling advertising. According to The Australian Institute of Family Studies, Australians lose about $25 billion on legal forms of gambling each year.
Why is there a crackdown on gambling in Australia?
The new federal government is cracking down on gambling in Australia by introducing several new measures. These include a ban on online poker and a limit on the number of ATMs installed in casinos. The government has also proposed a levy on bookmakers, raising $100 million for problem gambling research and treatment.
The crackdown on gambling comes as the government looks to clamp down on problem gambling in Australia, which is estimated to cost the economy up to $4.7 billion yearly. The new measures aim to reduce the amount of money that is gambled, as well as the harm that gambling can cause to individuals and families.
While some of the measures have been welcomed by anti-gambling campaigners, others have raised concerns that they could increase illegal gambling activity. Only time will tell whether the new measures will successfully tackle problem gambling in Australia.
What ads are being banned from gambling companies?
The federal government has announced a crackdown on gambling advertising in response to growing public pressure. From July 1, all gambling ads will be banned from TV and radio during live sporting events. This includes ads for online betting, sports betting, casinos, poker machines, and lotteries.
The ban will also apply to all live sports broadcasts on digital platforms like social media and streaming services. The only exception will be horse racing, exempt from the ban due to its longstanding tradition in Australia.
The government has justified the ban by citing concern over the growing number of children and young people exposed to gambling ads. They argue that these ads normalize gambling behavior and can lead to problem gambling.
Critics of the ban argue that it will push gambling underground and make it harder for authorities to regulate. They also say that the ban will unfairly punish responsible businesses while doing nothing to address the root causes of problem gambling.
What do you think about this new policy? Do you think it will help reduce problem gambling in Australia?
How does this affect the everyday Australian gambler?
The new federal government has proposed several changes to gambling in Australia that will affect the everyday gambler. These include increasing the tax on poker machines, banning online gambling, and restricting credit betting.
Poker machines are currently taxed at 15% of their net income, but the government has proposed increasing this to 30%. This would mean that clubs and pubs would have to pay more tax on their poker machine revenue, which would likely be passed on to gamblers in the form of higher prices.
The government has also proposed banning online gambling, which would impact those who enjoy gambling from the comfort of their homes. This would mean that Australians would no longer be able to access online casinos or sports betting sites.
Finally, the government has proposed restricting credit betting, limiting how much money people can gamble on credit. This would make it harder for people to get into debt from gambling, but it may also make it more difficult to win significant amounts of money.
What To Do If You’re Struggling with Gambling Addiction
If you’re struggling with gambling addiction, the first thing you should do is seek professional help. Many organizations, such as Gamblers Anonymous, Lifeline, and the Salvation Army, can assist you.
In addition to seeking professional help, there are some things you can do to help yourself if you’re struggling with gambling addiction. These include:
1. Avoiding triggers: Identify what triggers your gambling urges and try to avoid them. This might mean avoiding places where you typically gamble or certain people who encourage you to gamble.
2. Distract yourself: When you feel the urge to gamble, try to distract yourself with something else. This could be going for a walk, playing a game, or talking to a friend.
3. Setting limits: Set limits on how much money you’re willing to lose before stopping gambling for the day. Stick to these limits even if you’re winning, as it’s easy to get carried away when gambling.
4. Talking about it: Talk to someone about your gambling problem. This could be a friend, family member, therapist, or counselor. Talking about it can help you gain insight into why you gamble and how to stop it from taking over your life.
How Does The Gambling Industry Feel About This New Legislation?
The gambling industry in Australia is not happy with the new federal government’s plans to introduce stricter regulation of the industry. The main concerns are that the proposed changes will make it harder for people to gamble and lead to job losses.
Some of the proposed changes include:
– banning online poker
– restricting sports betting to live events only
– capping ATM withdrawals at $500 per day
– introducing a $1 bet limit on all electronic gaming machines
– making it illegal for credit card companies to process online gambling payments
These changes would make it much harder for people to gamble and would likely lead to a significant decline in revenue for the gambling industry. This would result in job losses and could harm the economy.
Do These Changes Affect Online Gambling Sites?
The recent changes to gambling laws in Australia have caused confusion about whether online gambling sites are affected. The changes are designed to crack down on illegal offshore gambling sites. However, there is still some uncertainty about how they will be enforced.
The new laws make it illegal for any gambling site to offer services to Australians without a license from the government. This includes both online and offline gambling sites. The only exception is for sites specifically exempt from the licensing requirement, such as horse racing and sports betting wagering services.
So far, the government has not issued guidance on how the new laws will be enforced against online gambling sites. However, it is expected that the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) will be tasked with enforcing the laws. This means that ACMA will have the power to block access to offending websites and issue fines to companies that flout the law.
The new laws are a blow to the online gambling industry, which has flourished in recent years thanks to easy access to international markets. Many of the world’s biggest gambling operators are based in Australia, so the new laws could significantly impact their businesses.
It remains to be seen how effectively the new laws curb offshore gambling activity. Still, they will make life more challenging for those who want to gamble online from Australia.
Conclusion
The federal government’s recent crackdown on gambling in Australia is a welcome development. For too long, gambling has flourished unchecked, with devastating consequences for many families. The new measures announced by the government will help to protect vulnerable people from the harmful effects of gambling, and we hope that they will make a real difference in the lives of those who are most at risk.