The Australian Christian Lobby has welcomed a policy announced by the Greens to end sports betting advertising.
Under the policy, announced today, all sports betting promotion would be banned in a similar approach to the way cigarette advertising was outlawed in 1992.
Lyle Shelton, managing director of the ACL, said the policy reflected the damage gambling causes to families and the community and called on the Federal Government and the Labor Party to support the bill.
“Sports betting is only allowed to be conducted by adults so it is unacceptable for gambling advertisements to be thrust on children who are enjoying a game,” he said. “There is a growing mood in the community that gambling should not be normalised and be considered an acceptable part of sport.”
The ACL has called for a Senate Inquiry into gambling and the “corrupting” influence it has on sport.
“We agree with calls by the Victorian Minister for Gaming and Liquor Regulation, Jane Garrett, and the Alliance for Gambling Reform spokesman Tim Costello, for a national conversation on gambling, particularly looking at the impact of gambling advertising on kids and young people,” said Mr Shelton.
He said that as a key partner in the Alliance for Gambling Reform, the ACL would welcome the opportunity to provide input in developing terms of reference for a Senate inquiry.
