Australia hits gambling advertising, advocates say not hard enough

The package, which takes effect ​from 2027, addresses an issue that has ⁠gnawed at Albanese’s center-left government although it commands a record majority in parliament. Cross-benchers say Albanese has been too slow to address gambling, a problem ⁠that was forecast to ​cost Australians 34 billion Australian dollars ($23 billion) last year, the most per capita ​in the world. “Not a single parent in this country would opt in to ​their kids seeing ‌gambling ads,” said Alliance for Gambling Reform chief advocate Tim Costello, referring to a feature of the new law that requires an internet user to opt out if they don’t want to see ads.

“The government should not claim they are protecting kids from gambling advertising by ‌asking parents to opt out. The onus should be squarely on the gambling companies and the platforms.” But Albanese stood by the new rules, which he called “the most significant reform on gambling that has ever been implemented.” “The government is taking decisive action to tackle the community and public health concerns associated ​with ​gambling,” he said in a statement. Shares in No. 2 gambling company Tabcorp Holdings were down 1.9% in afternoon trading, steeper than the benchmark ASX200 index’s 1.1% decline.