Australia’s renowned love of sport is being negatively impacted by the proliferation of betting advertising, according to a new report from the Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIFS).
Executive Manager of the Australian Gambling Research Centre at AIFS, Rebecca Jenkinson said the report Gambling participation, experience of harm and community views detailed the effect of prolific wagering advertising in Australia.
Dr Jenkins said the report found 69 per cent of Australian adults believed sport and race betting advertising was ‘too common’ and made sport ‘less family-friendly’ (60 per cent).
She said the research indicated that betting advertising was having a negative effect on Australia’s sporting culture, with almost half (46 per cent) of respondents reporting that wagering advertising was decreasing their enjoyment of sport.
“Betting advertising is eroding Australia’s love of sport, which has been a part of our national identity for many years,” Dr Jenkins said.
“We’re now seeing a significant level of concern about the relationship between gambling companies, Australian sporting teams and sports coverage,” she said.
“More than half of Australians (53 per cent) believe that betting advertising ‘normalises gambling among children’, or makes ‘betting seem like a normal part of sport’ (69 per cent), while the report also found a link between exposure to wagering advertising and riskier betting behaviour.”
Director of AIFS, Sharman Stone said the new research also demonstrated the community’s support for strong action on wagering advertising, and a desire for Governments to lead the way.
“This report highlights the urgent need for change, with strong support for outright bans on wagering advertising,” Dr Stone said.
“This reflects a high-level of awareness in Australian society that gambling is a significant cause of harm, which must be addressed,” she said.
“The report revealed that 64 per cent of Australians believe that governments should play the biggest role in how wagering is advertised, with 53 per cent supporting an outright ban on wagering advertising across all platforms before 10:30pm, and 47 per cent supporting a ban across all social media platforms.”
A six-page snapshot of the AIFS’ report can be accessed at this PS News link.
