A big step forward on gambling promotion in sport but we need to finish the job: Greens

The Australian Greens have today welcomed the Gillard Government's push to ban gambling odds during live sports programs and restrict generic advertising, but say it needs to go further.

“These reforms are a big step forward but they absolutely wouldn’t have happened without the Greens putting the issue on the agenda and leading the way with a comprehensive plan for reform,” said Australian Greens Leader, Senator Christine Milne.

It has been reported today that Labor will push the industry to agree to changes in the Free TV code of conduct so that live odds will be banned during sport and generic gambling advertising will be restricted to scheduled breaks in play.

Greens spokesperson on gambling and sport, Senator Richard Di Natale, said today that the growing nexus between gambling and sport isn’t just about live odds or Tom Waterhouse, it’s about the constant bombardment of betting ads.

“The Greens put the issue of gambling ads in sport on the agenda when I referred it to an parliamentary inquiry in February and introduced a bill to fix the problem,” said Senator Di Natale.

“Our kids have begun to understand our iconic games through the prism of gambling and the changes proposed by the Prime Minister are a big step forward in dealing with this issue, but we need to finish the job.

“The reported changes would do nothing to stop the discussion of odds during sports shows like the Footy Show and it would do nothing to end the bizarre loophole that allows gambling ads to be shown during kids’ viewing times as long as it is during sport.

“I have a bill before the parliament that would do three things: ban all gambling ads before 9PM; ban all odds during sport and sports related programs, like The Footy Show; and prevent gambling ads from being integrated into broadcasts.

"The combination of these reforms would have done much more to protect our kids from the normalisation of gambling and protect the purity of Australian sport.”

Media Contacts        

Senator Christine Milne:               Georgie Klug 0438 376 082

Senator Richard Di Natale:           Andrew Blyberg 0457 901 600