Labor MP Peta Murphy, chair of the lower house’s standing committee on social policy, is taking charge of a government inquiry into the effects of online gambling on problem gamblers and minors.
The parliamentary inquiry is set to tour Australia and is seeking feedback from consumers including those with a history of problem gambling. The main points of query are believed to be loot boxes along with the advertising of live sports betting and the use of simulated gambling in video games.
Murphy, who has previously spoken of the need to restrict the advertising of gambling services and products during televised sporting events said:
“What we want to do with this inquiry is really interrogate how effective the current regime is in reducing problem gambling. It’s not about banning gambling, but it’s really about reducing problem gambling and seeing if we can stop it before it starts.”
The inquiry could potentially inform government policy changes and will examine the effectiveness of current online gambling regulations and advertising restrictions. This includes advertising on social media and through sponsorship or branding particularly in sports.
As it stands, Australian gambling companies cannot advertise the promotion of odds from five minutes before the start of play until five minutes after the event. However, Murphy wants to see tougher rules.
“You would think that you wouldn’t see any sports betting advertising watching a live broadcast. But I think most people know that you absolutely do.”
The inquiry comes as the federal government is under pressure from anti-gambling advocate Andrew Wilkie and teal independent Zoe Daniel.
Daniel said recently:
“When children are having conversations about sports betting ‘multis’, wanting to set up sports betting apps on their phones and even betting on the federal election, we have an issue.”
Image credit: Sameboat / CC BY-SA 4.0
Olivia has worked as an editor and writer for major brands across multiple niches. She now focuses on the iGaming and sports betting industries.