Australia is facing increasing pressure to impose a total ban on gambling advertisements, driven by concerns over the country's staggering gambling losses, which are among the highest per capita in the world. An alliance of over 60 prominent Australians, including former political, union, sports, and faith leaders, has called on the government to take decisive action. They have urged Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and the opposition leader to outlaw all gambling advertising within three years, aligning with the recommendations from a 2023 report on gambling harm.

Australia, with a population of just 27 million, experiences gambling losses estimated at AUD 25 billion (USD 16 billion) annually. Despite these figures, gambling advertisements remain widespread across various media platforms, including television, radio, and billboards, contributing to the pervasive culture of gambling.

The letter highlights the alarming extent of gambling advertising, with one million ads aired on free-to-air television and radio in just a single year. The alliance argues that the current level of advertising is out of control and calls for a total ban to protect Australians, particularly children, from the harmful impacts of gambling.

Former Prime Minister John Howard, a signatory of the letter, emphasized the severe harm that gambling losses inflict on the community, including financial ruin, mental health problems, and family violence. The Alliance for Gambling Reform's chief executive, Martin Thomas, stressed that only a total ban on gambling advertising could effectively prevent gambling companies from targeting vulnerable populations, especially children.

While the Australian government has engaged with various stakeholders and expressed a commitment to minimizing gambling harm, it has yet to confirm whether a total advertising ban will be implemented. Reports suggest that the government may be considering alternative measures, such as capping advertising, rather than an outright ban. However, advocates for reform warn that anything less than a comprehensive ban would be insufficient to address the significant harm caused by gambling in Australia.