Author: Daniel Williams

The most recent Freshwater Strategy poll shows Australians’ attitude to a topic sparking heated debate. A sample of 1,061 voters was asked whether they enjoyed watching sports betting advertisements. According to the research, conducted between 16-18 August 2024, 85% of all adults did not favour gambling advertising, as opposed to 15% who did. Of those who place wagers on sports regularly, 58% said they enjoyed watching ads. As for those who bet on sport occasionally, 32% answered affirmatively. Just 11% of the Individuals who used to place wagers, but not…

Grattan Institute, a Melbourne-based public policy think tank, has released its latest report tackling Australia’s forthcoming gambling advertising reform. In addition to a blanket advertising ban, the organization recommends introducing maximum loss limits for pokies and online betting. “Gambling is Australia’s blind spot”, researchers said, as the country was among the first to deregulate gambling. Australians are passionate gamblers, with the highest per-capita gambling losses globally, averaging $1,635 annually per adult. These statistics far exceed the figures for similar nations as the US ($809), and New Zealand ($584). In 2020-21,…

A new countrywide report by Lowell, a credit management company, has revealed that 46% of young gamblers in the UK have used credit to finance their gambling activity. Researchers worked with a representative sample of 1,000 respondents residing in the UK to find out more about their gambling habits and how they impact their financial health. The percentage of young gamblers, aged 25-34 years, resorting to credit to cover their gambling expenses is 2.2 times higher than the percentage of UK citizens of average age (22%). The study also noted…

According to the latest press release by the official website of the New Zealand Government, the consultation period on the gambling harm minimisation strategy is now open. Matt Doocey, the Minister for Mental Health, has embraced the start of Gambling Harm Awareness Week, which takes place in September annually. New Zealanders are welcome to share their opinion and feedback on the three-year strategy by 6 October 2024. The Minister for Mental Health explained that although many consumers enjoy gambling as a recreational activity without any issues, the statistics signal that…

During the past year, the Australian Government has been in a tight spot with expectations to respond to a parliamentary committee inquiry into a total gambling advertising ban. According to health experts, legislators must act firmly and not hesitate to impose a comprehensive prohibition, as public health and well-being must be prioritised over media revenue. Australian online media outlet InSight+ talked to Associate Professor Charles Livingstone, Head of the School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine at Monash University. He stated that a partial ban on gambling and betting ads…

BetStop, Australia’s National Self-Exclusion Register celebrated its first anniversary last Wednesday. In connection with this significant milestone, the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) reported that more than 28,300 residents have used the gambling self-exclusion service thus far. The government initiative, introduced by the ACMA, is completely safe and free of charge, enabling consumers to voluntarily block themselves from all legitimate online and mobile providers of gambling services in a few easy steps. They can do so for a period lasting from a minimum of three months to a lifetime.…

August 29th marked the official opening of the Queen’s Wharf Brisbane (QWB) destination, which also houses the newest casino establishment of The Star Entertainment Group. The Star Brisbane was supposed to open last year, but regulatory struggles resulted in a delay of 12 months. As reported by the North West Star, operations will now proceed under the supervision of Queensland’s gambling regulator, and the company will continue its remediation efforts. The Star was fined AU$140,000 in 2023 after the regulators of Queensland identified significant failings regarding the company’s policies surrounding…

The first tests that should determine the viability of financial risk checks are set to begin on August 30th. On Tuesday, the Gambling Commission’s Director of Major Policy Projects and Evaluation, Helen Rhodes, gave an update on the trials in an official blog post, providing further insight into how the tests will be conducted and what their goals are. Ms Rhodes explained that the pilot will last between 6 and 7 months and will involve the usage of real data. Assessments will be conducted in several stages, and each participating…

The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) announced on August 26th that Network Ten’s online streaming service, 10 Play, has been issued a warning for failing to adhere to Australia’s gambling advertising regulations. Current laws mandate that online streaming services not air gambling ads during live sports events from 5am to 8.30pm. Moreover, no such adverts can be shown five minutes before or after a game. It appears that 10 Play breached the said rules by showing gambling ads to the viewers of two games that were streamed during the…

Individuals who use the services of Allied Irish Banks (AIB) now have the option to request that the financial institution block their gambling-related transactions. As reported by broadcasting company Raidió Teilifís Éireann (RTE), the new feature will be applicable to both credit and debit cards, regardless of whether a given card is classified as a personal or business card. Additionally, AIB Group’s EBS will also offer the same feature to its clients. According to the AIB, problem gambling may manifest in overdue bills, the attempt to use gambling as a…