Can We Uncouple Gambling and Sports?
In recent years gambling has become so entrenched in Australia’s sporting culture that the Sydney Morning Herald has reported more than 1 in 6 ads during sports broadcasts are advertising gambling. Young children who are watching a live AFL game will typically be exposed to nearly 50 gambling advertisements. With this increase in advertising frequency comes fears that young spectators will see gambling as a normal aspect of watching sports.
In response to this issue Communications Minister, Mitch Fifield has announced new restrictions on gambling advertising during sports broadcasts across all media platforms before 8.30pm. These restrictions will be put in order to protect children from exposure to the ads.
The Daily discussed this topic with Senior Marketing Lecturer of Central Queensland University, Dr En Li.
Dr Li is currently researching the ‘implicit associations between sports and gambling’ .
