Australian Government looks to introduce in-stadium ban on gambling advertising

The Federal Government is pushing to introduce a ban on in-stadium ban on electronic sideline advertisements promoting gambling during AFL and NRL games.

Falling short of campaigners’ calls for a blanket ban on betting promotions the move has been welcomed by Alliance for Gambling Reform Chief Advocate Tim Costello.

Costello told the ABC that the ban on in-stadium advertising - while being “really necessary” to block “particularly offensive” digital messaging - was insufficient to deal with the growth of problem gambling.

He noted “if you want to protect children you have to have a total ban.

“Every ad influences them to become a gambler.”

It has also been reported that Federal Communications Minister Michelle Rowland is also considering forcing sporting codes to remove the logos of betting companies from their jerseys and uniforms.

However, both are understood to require agreement from state and territory governments.

Costello advised that the Federal Government was not adopting the full recommendations of a parliamentary inquiry headed by the late Peta Murphy.

He also noted that Minister Rowland "is now trying for signage and jersey bans (as) she understands the risk of grooming children."

Earlier this year, the NRL’s Cronulla Sharks announced that its home venue naming-rights partner, PointsBet, would not be renewing is partnership - which commenced in 2019 - at the end of 2024.

PointsBet Australia Chief Executive Andrew Catterall said at the time that the collaboration would likely have been renewed had it not been for the shifting perception of gambling signage at stadiums.

He noted “stadium naming rights and perimeter signage are no longer appropriate for the category.”

Image: Signage for Cronulla's PointsBet Stadium.