Australians hate gambling ads, so why is the government tiptoeing around a ban?
A tax on the digital giants could be used to support free, public-interest journalism while implementing a total ban on gambling advertising, says Matt Grudnoff.
On this episode of Dollars & Sense, Australia Institute Senior Economist Matt Grudnoff and Elinor discuss the government’s gambling reforms and new research showing that the wealth of Australia’s richest 200 people nearly tripled over the last two decades.
Each week on Dollars & Sense, we dive into the latest economic figures to explain what they can tell us about what’s happening in the economy, how it will impact you and where things are headed.
Host: Matt Grudnoff, Senior Economist, the Australia Institute and Centre for Future Work // @MattGrudnoff
Host: Elinor Johnston-Leek, Senior Content Producer, the Australia Institute // @ElinorJ_L
Show notes:
‘Give Junk Food & Gambling Ads the Punt’, The Australia Institute (2022)
‘Wealth and inequality in Australia’ by David Richardson and Frank Stilwell, The Australia Institute (2024)
Theme music: Blue Dot Sessions
In Australia, Gambling Help Online is available on 1800 858 858. The National Debt Helpline is at 1800 007 007.
We’d love to hear your feedback on this series, so send in your questions, comments or suggestions for future episodes to podcasts@australiainstitute.org.au.
Between the Lines Newsletter
The biggest stories and the best analysis from the team at the Australia Institute, delivered to your inbox every fortnight.
You might also like
The sports betting double standard: why our politicians blinked on gambling ads
Everyone with a smartphone walks around with the entire internet in their pocket, but thanks to the gambling industry that also means there’s a casino in everyone’s pocket as well.
Only thing standing in way of gambling reform is government’s cowardice
Australians are the world’s biggest losers. Last year, Australians lost $34.8 billion in bets. That’s more than Australian households spend on electricity and gas ($29.5 billion) or alcohol ($26.8 billion) – so it seems safe to say we have a problem.
Over $104 billion lost to gambling since Murphy Review
New research by The Australia Institute shows that Australians have lost over $104 billion to gambling in the three years since the Murphy Review released its final report into the harms of online gambling. Today the Albanese Government is expected to introduce legislation in response to the Murphy Review. If passed, it will introduce certain