Gambling Ads on TV

I like millions of others I'm sure have had enough of these infernal gambling ads on TV, nonstop, it's not teaching the young ones good habits, and most of the ads are so ridiculous. I do find I get sore fingers turning off the audio for their duration, or moving to another channel when they appear there are so many.

I see now there is a huge movement against these annoying ads here

Comments

  • Load Light Infantry this Saturday paying $4.

  • +36

    Absolute trash that needs to be banned.

    Only destroys lives and families, has only negative impact on the community and Australia as a whole.

  • +21

    I don't watch much commercial TV. But when I do switch it on, it's nuts how many gambling ads there are. Multiple per ad break. And it's funny how they all claim to promote responsible gambling aspects of their apps. I'd worry it normalises gambling for kids.

    • +13

      I've said before that every time they push the "Gamble Responsibly" at the end of every ad, subconsciously it's embedding the thought that gambling is completely fine because no one* really thinks they're an irresponsible person.

  • Just remember the golden rule … the more you put on, the more you collect!!

  • +1

    It's such a silly cycle we go through. From cigarettes to alcohol to gambling and everything in between. It just keeps happening.

    We create a damaging indulgence → People get interested → Advertising grows → People get addicted → Bans start → We try to limit the damage.

    It'd be a lot easier if we had a bit of self control, but y'know, we're only human…

    • +16

      You forgot the step where companies design their products to be as addictive as possible.

      • +4

        Ah yep, gotta maximise the gains at the expense of human misery.

        Employ a few psychologists and marketing specialists to manipulate the masses, and when it all goes to hell, they just say "We were only doing our jobs."

        • +4

          Logan Council approved the development of the old Ikea shop at Springwood to a 'pokies' club that had more 'pokies' than any other establishment in Qld.
          And where is Springwood? In the most-deprived area of Queensland called LOGAN.

          It is madness, or is it just corruption with monies donated to the council and government? - You judge

          The place is called Lions @ Springwood, and this is the intro on their website:
          "Ride the thrill of achieving that elusive jackpot by trying your luck at any one of the 200 poker machines available within the premiers gaming lounge."

          We're fighting a losing battle with such idiots in charge of the asylum.

          • @Forkinhell: Wow forks, that is completely outrageous, and I'm surprised (and saddened) that that 'development' got approved in this day and age.

        • +1

          'We were only doing our jobs' and 'it was completely legal'.

    • Yo Payne …

      You have pointed out what everyone already knows. Do you have any actual suggestions/opinions for improvement/a productive way forward?

  • +6

    Gambling is just stupidity tax. Walk past a TAB or racing section of the local pub and look at the winners in there with their arse hanging out.

    • Re:

      'Walk past a TAB …'

      I find it impossible to walk directly past a TAB without almost choking these days, because there's always a cluster of 'winners' huddling outside the door smoking like their lives depend on it (which they sort of do, but in a bad way).

      This observation kinda' supports your theory about gambling being essentially a stupidity tax. All that said, it is not ethical for the government to allow gambling operations to mercilessly prey on stupid people by actively advertising to recruit more and more victims.

  • +11

    The one I hate at the moment is the ones with Shaqq in them that have these “Aussies” in them that are nothing like Aussies. No one talks like that, FFS.

    “You Aussies sure are built different…”

    No, Shaqq, you’re a money whore and these retards are not indicative of typical Aussies… but I guess they are typical of the typical moron, bogan, beer swilling, idiots in our society who do get on the punt.

    • They're tiktok comedians 🤮

      • +14

        That's an oxymoron, just like "instagram influencer" or "YouTube Celebrity".

        • +5

          I feel sorry for people who need an influencers advice to live…

  • +2

    I do that for all ads, not just gambling.

  • Actually — looks like they have given up….

    Latest Momentum June 18, 2021

    • Most of the action is over here now.

      I did get on their mailing list a while back, and it's a bit ironic that the emails I started getting from them seemed to be using a lot of the same techniques that are used on gambling ads. Things like:

      • highly emotive language
      • creating a sense of urgency
      • less about facts and more about trying to force you into action
      • pleading for money.

      Maybe they're fighting fire with fire, or maybe they're lowering themselves to the other side's standards. Or maybe that's just what it takes for people to take an interest. Either way, it felt a little dirty to me.

  • +17

    The “do it with your mates” and tying it to “supporting your sporting teams” are, particularly, insidious. These companies are appalling.

    Gambling is a tax on people who don’t understand statistics. The odds are, always, designed so the company makes money. Every time you look at these ads think of some guy in a suit rubbing his hands going “come in sucker”. Then think “FU, I’ve better things to do with my money”.

  • +4

    Yes, gambling wrecks lives, and some of Australia's richest people (e.g. James Packer) have made billions out of wrecking people's lives. Gambling shouldn't be advertised.

    Having said that, Australia is a nation of gambling. Whether it's shares or cryptocurrency or flipping houses, we're always gambling that prices will rise. One of the biggest festivals in Australia is a horse race that about a quarter of the nation bets on.

    By the way, who watches free-to-air TV nowadays? I don't know anyone who does except my mum, and she mainly watches ABC. For about $20 a month you can get a lot of quality content that doesn't require you to watch ads.

    • The thing is though, that we have been having a bet (probably our one bet of the year for the majority of people) on the Melbourne Cup for a long, long time. Before there were ads. Before there was colour television.
      We didn't need ads.

    • +1

      Quality content? LMAO

      • -1

        $20/month gives you Netflix + Amazon prime, or Netflix + Apple TV+. You think there are no quality shows/movies on them?

        • -3

          nope. Nothing I'd enjoy.

  • +1

    I'd be ok with it if they only played between 9pm and 5am. But I tend to mute all ad breaks regardless because they're annoying and have nothing of value.

    The petition seems to be geared towards SBS though?

  • +3

    Complain to all your your state and federal parliamentary representatives as OZB posts will not help you.

  • +9

    Should be banned across all media including games. Number of teenagers i witness and have to refer for gambling at school is becoming concerning. Mainly betting on football and horses.

    • +1

      Kids are gambling in schools now? That is wild. I can imagine how effective these blokey larrikin ads would be on young males in high school.

      • +1

        and the dream of the big win… these ads make it sound like it happens all the time…. in reality..

      • +3

        Yep, especially at break times. And dont get me started on those pokie games that charge microtransactions.

        It's all dangerous stuff and no amount of phone bans in schools will fix it. I dont agree wth internet censorship in general but I do agree with Government intervention through regulations and bans for public health and safety. This is that scenario.

      • It's happening in video games e.g. csgo

  • -2

    You sit there and pay attention to ads? Life skill. Get up, do something else and come back when it is over.

    Doesn't people have TV recording where they start like show 10 mins later and fast forward through the ads?

  • -1

    You watch ads?

  • -2

    I hate ALL advertising and avoid them, but I understand the part they play in funding the machine.

    I wouldn't care if smokes, alcohol and gambling were advertised on TV / YT / Netflix.

    I am responsible for teaching my kids not to smoke, drink and gamble.

    • +2

      Many parents do not do that.

  • +1

    I think what irks me most about gambling ads is that the frequency at which they run says a lot about how the industry is performing.

    These gambling companies wouldn't run ads if they weren't profitable - and the fact that they're running so many (many of which have high production budgets and celebrity cameos) must mean they're exceptionally profitable.

    The ads are working well. I suppose no surprise, given that Australia is literally the biggest gambling country in the world. Source 1 Source 2

    • +1

      must mean they're exceptionally profitable.

      Doubt they'd pay tax either.

      • Re:

        'Doubt they'd pay tax either.'

        Don't be too sure. Pokies generate huge amounts of tax, and that is undoubtedly the main reason why governments on all levels turn a blind eye to their major pitfalls. I suspect that the taxes they generate/pay to various governments/councils are the very reason why numerous gambling operations have been allowed to persist, and even expand in recent years.

  • +2

    Apart from the ads, a lot of sport commentary is totally inclusive of gambling references. I can understand that for horse racing but not for sports like cricket, football codes, tennis.

    • Agree… even on the radio they do it now

    • I have noticed this too. They never go so far as mentioning actual betting companies by name, but some of it is so blatant that it has caused me to suspect that there's a bit of 'cash for comment' (think John Laws' radio scandal) going on; paid for by a syndicate of the main gambling companies. Why else would they suddenly be throwing in numerous comments about the odds every so often? They never used to …

  • +3

    Many moons ago I was a doorman at a huge leagues club, members would open a wallet or purse to show their club badge, I'd see a wad or rolls of notes on show, few hours later same people would reserve the machine to go home to get more dosh (in the days before bank teller machines). An old woman told me she lost her house due to gambling.

    So if anyone is inclined to show concern this is the place to do it: https://www.endgamblingads.org.au

  • +1

    Are gambling ads allowed during day hours or only after a certain time? Anyway I don't agree with gambling sponsorship in sports where the sport is freely open for under 18 to participate in or watch. Australia still has a pretty strong sport culture and tying gambling into sport creats a connection from a young age. If cigarettes and alcohol have controlled advertising, why doesn't gambling? Or allow them all. You can't have the justification of harm for one thing that's damaging, but not apply it to the other.

  • I don't watch free-to-air but I do borrow a Kayo account for the F1. Ad breaks for these events? Exclusively gambling or automotive related.
    It's pretty disgusting and I'd love for them to be banned.

  • It's rather mining ads over gambling ads, but I guess sports people don't talk about that.

    • I don't get your reference to mining ads, but if you are referring to some players being vocal about some sport/club sponsorships etc., I suppose the players have a choice. They can stay with their employer or leave.
      Same as if I worked for a company that didn't align with my values; I could choose to stay or to leave.

  • +4

    Responsible gambling ha ha ha. Their business model is to keep losing gambling addicts on the hook then bleed 'em dry and ban winning gamblers.

  • +2

    The thing that really annoys me is the marketing department of gambling companies, using peer pressure to expand their suckers. Eg bet with mates!!!!

  • The ads are out of control, the government does need to step in a regulate them more, just like alcohol & tobacco. From my understanding the ads are self regulated by a industry code of practice.

    My wife works with pro athlete teams (AFL, AFLW, NBL, WNBL, A-League, NRL & Super Rugby). The worst messages these guys & gals get on social media are from disgruntled punters venting at the player because they lost bets.

  • +1

    I understand that gambling advertising is more strictly regulated in South Australia than other States, including blackouts at various times in some broadcasts from interstate. Can others confirm this?

  • +1

    I feel better now, I made a small donation $20 to https://www.endgamblingads.org.au/donate , and note about 2000 more have joined the fight against this nonstop annoying curse on TV the past week.

  • Merged from Incessant gambling advertising on TV in Australia

    I have just watched a very good/wise/compelling 'tirade' from an African-Australian woman on the ABC news TV channel, during which she emphatically suggested that many of the tactics now being used to advertise betting 'carte blanche' on Australian TV amount to virtual 'hacking' of some people's brains. I have been worried about this very thing ever since these ads started to appear on Australian TV about 5 few years ago, apparently completely unregulated, particularly with regard to their potential to influence people who may not be mentally astute enough to understand the 'logistics' (i.e. maths/probability equations) involved.

    I would be very interested to hear the opinions of a cross-section of OzB members on this matter.

    • +1
      • +2

        How pointless. They need to just ban any ads for gambling outright.

        This just goes to show how much power gambling lobbies have in Australia and just how addicted governments are to the revenue off the backs of problem gamblers.

        Gambling ads should be 50% at the start of the video of a flashing beacon and loud screeching siren with a loud warning being read out bout the pitfalls of gambling. Then, after all that yelling, flashing and siren, the gambling company gets 15 seconds to sell their shit.

        Print advertising should be like cigarettes, absolutely non-existent. And even if a place wants to advertise their gaming room, it can only be done on an A4 black sheet of paper with white lettering.

        All pokie machine should be made like cigarette boxes, and just be the name of the machine in white on a black background and not be allowed to make a noise or flash lights. The games should all look the same and allow no flashing colours or animations.

        • Re:

          'They need to just ban any ads for gambling outright.'

          I agree with that 100%. Like they (eventually) did for ciggies. Ciggies kill people, but the fact is gambling does too, via suicides. It also breaks up families. There is no community in the world that is better off due to the presence of gambling within it, with the possible exception of gambling meccas like Macau (who I believe wisely does not permit their own citizens to gamble in their casinos?!?), money laundering 'communities' like the mafia, and loan sharks. Gambling invariably attracts unscrupulous people and ruins many 'poor addicted punters' and their families. I understand that it is now firmly entrenched in society worldwide and will never be totally abolished, but at the very least it should not be allowed to be advertised in Australia.

          • @GnarlyKnuckles: Well said, I and millions of others agree, promoting gambling on TV to kids is a rot on our society.

    • -2

      Tirades by definition usually aren't wise, anything but.

      • This one was. It was delivered eloquently, cleverly, and with passion. Have a look at it and see if you agree.

    • +5

      Australia is the gambling capital of the world.

      Even the Federal Government used the same bloke who came to Australia to advertise gambling to talk about some random issue he would have no real knowledge about.

    • No, GnarlyKnuckles. The only monster here is the gambling monster that has enslaved Australia! I call him Gamblor, and it's time to snatch your fellow Australians from his neon claws!

    • +4

      I've said for a while now that the 'Gamble Responsibly' tag at the end of the ads is actually reinforcing that gambling is a positive thing.

      • but remember please Ozbargain Responsibly

    • gambling….its a mug's game.

    • +1

      This was a bit of a shock seeing Keno ads on tv in Tassie:

      https://www.unmade.media/p/the-epic-afl-half-time-ad-you-pro…

      Used to love the chaser taking the piss out of Tom Waterhouse ads https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=-P_53UUHhLw

    • +1

      Wonder if we should also regulate or ban RSL clubs which are full of slot machines. They do serve a pretty important purpose but they are being heavily subsidised by all the gamblers.

      • +1

        To see the slot machines you have to actually enter the club and enter the area with the machines.

        And what do you mean they're subsidised - they take more money than they give out so they can't be subsidised

        • +1

          They mean the club is funded by the machines. Not the other way around.

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