|
Edited by Yamini003 at 22-12-2023 08:48 PM
A recent opinion poll shows that Australians don't want sports betting advertisements on television. The report suggests that their desire to ban these ads may be justified, as even 8-10-year-old children can recognize the jingles from sports betting brand ads. A report from the ABC highlights the growing issue of sports betting brand advertising and how it impacts young people. Many studies indicate that Australians are among the world's most prolific gamblers, which can lead to some downsides without proper risk controls. The ABC report quotes various experts who express concerns about the marketing and advertising strategies used by these operators, as even children can identify brand colors, jingles, and remember where they've seen these ads.
Additionally, introducing celebrities into sports betting advertisements can make betting appear less threatening. This could normalize betting from a young age, which is not only a dangerous path for gamblers and their close ones but also for the industry itself. In the long run, turning a good thing into a bad thing is not a sustainable growth strategy.
Australia's sports betting industry is highly active, and this creates an environment where regulators must keep pace with the growth. Companies are growing, markets are expanding, and player demographics are changing – all of which means that Australian regulators are playing catch-up. In some cases, this can be a good thing because regulation affects not only operators but also their staff and player demographics. Australian regulators have a history of listening to the demands of the local populace. A parliamentary inquiry was initiated this autumn, with lawmakers choosing to investigate the victims of personal testimony of gambling harm. The Australia Institute conducted opinion polling and research on ads Australians don't want to see, with tobacco and gambling ads ranking first at 74% and 71%, respectively.
While the restrictions on the content and placement of gambling advertisements are yet to be finalized, there is a significant change with the introduction of a slogan that accompanies gambling ads. By emphasizing warning messages, it makes the dangers of gambling more explicit. However, clearly, Australian regulation will not come at the expense of industry interests, as Australia is also the first country to decide to encrypt gambling ads as part of a trial, and sports betting regulators are looking up for information. This is a positive sign, as the industry should grow and the only sustainable way to do so is to limit the associated negative impacts. |
|