New research from public policy think tank The Australia Institute shows that the majority of South Australians support banning gambling, alcohol and fossil fuel advertising during sporting events and in sporting broadcasts in the state.

The findings are the result of a survey of 604 South Australians, undertaken by The Australia Institute between 15 May and 22 May 2023.

Key Findings:

• Three in four South Australians (77%) agree that gambling advertising should be banned in sport, two in three (64%) agree that alcohol advertising should be banned and one in two (51%) agree that fossil fuel advertising should be banned.
• Four in five Liberal and Greens voters (81%) agree that gambling advertisements should be banned in sport.
• Around two in three Labor voters (66%), Liberal voters (63%) and Greens voters (67%) agree that alcohol advertising should be banned in sport.
• Three in four Greens voters (75%) and a majority of Labor voters (53%) agree that fossil fuel advertising should be banned in sport.
• Support for the banning of gambling and alcohol advertising in sport tended to increase with age, while support for the banning of fossil fuel advertising was strongest among younger South Australians.

“South Australians are sick and tired of ads for gambling, alcohol and fossil fuels getting in the way when they’re trying to watch sport,” said Noah Schultz-Byard, SA Director at The Australia Institute.

“Companies have sought to use sport to pedal dangerous and harmful products to the public for decades. Tobacco advertising was rightly outlawed in the past and now South Australians want to see the government extend that ban to other harmful industries.

“Children and families watching sport on tv or going to a local footy match shouldn’t be subjected to greenwashing and advertising for gambling and alcohol.

“Our research shows that support for banning advertising from these harmful industries is widespread across the political spectrum and is shared by people of all ages. Just as Liberal, Labor, Greens and independent MPs have spoken up about the harm that gambling causes, a majority of voters for each political party want to see the ads banned in sport as well.

“Momentum is building towards a ban on harmful advertising in sports across Australia. The only question now is when that ban will come into effect and how rigorous it will be. South Australian voters have made it clear that they want to see advertising for gambling, alcohol and fossil fuels banned from sport once and for all.”