Independent senator David Pocock has renewed calls for a nationwide ban on gambling advertising after a new Australian Capital Territory inquiry recommended stronger restrictions, including a complete advertising ban.
The ACT parliament’s social policy committee last week released a report examining men’s suicide rates. The committee concluded that reducing gambling promotion could play an important role in lowering suicide risks among men.
The report included 25 additional recommendations covering mental health support services, improved healthcare referrals and increased public housing provision.
Responding to the findings, Pocock said another parliamentary inquiry had reached the same conclusion on gambling advertising.
“Yet another parliamentary inquiry recommends a full ban of gambling advertising. What will it take for governments to put people first, act on the evidence and reduce harm?” Pocock wrote on Facebook.
The inquiry follows another ACT report released in May examining plans to reduce the number of poker machines across the territory. That report warned stronger gambling advertising regulations were “central to addressing underlying drivers of harm”.
The ACT government has previously reported that four in five residents support a complete ban on gambling advertising. Gaming minister Marisa Paterson has also said reducing young people’s exposure to gambling promotions is under consideration.
Despite repeated recommendations from inquiries, the federal government has not introduced a nationwide gambling advertising ban. Instead, it has proposed partial restrictions.