A new survey has shown that a massive 70% of Australians are eager to see betting commercials removed from their television screens. The Australia Institute, a research organization, polled over 1,000 individuals nationwide, gauging their views on prohibiting various forms of television marketing. The findings were quite decisive – a mere 11% were content with retaining wagering promotions on air.
Notably, the backing for a prohibition was robust across both sexes, with 70% of males and 72% of females expressing support. The younger demographic appears particularly enthusiastic about discarding these commercials, with 69% of those between 18-29 years old endorsing a ban. Even amongst the senior population (60+), a substantial 78% desire their removal.
This topic invariably sparks discussions, particularly during this season with the Australian Football League finals approaching. Existing regulations govern when and where betting advertisements can be displayed, but numerous individuals, including Victorian Parliament member Zoe Daniel, are advocating for more stringent controls. She harbors particular anxieties regarding how these promotions normalize wagering, especially among youth, through their persistent presence during sporting matches.
A significant issue arises when young people casually use terms like “odds” as everyday language, fantasize about accessing betting platforms, and even place bets on events far removed from their lives, such as national elections.
To illustrate the gravity of the situation, data from Nielsen reveals that the gaming sector in Australia invested close to 287.2 million Australian dollars—equivalent to nearly 200 million US dollars—on marketing in 2021 alone. Furthermore, this concerning pattern of focusing on youth extends beyond gambling to encompass promotions for cigarettes, unhealthy food, alcoholic beverages, and even non-renewable energy sources.
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