10 July 2001

Ref:30/2001

Gambling Advertising Ban

- NSW Sends Right Message!

 

The mark of any society is how is treats its most vulnerable members.

The gambling report released by Minister Dean Brown yesterday indicates that it is the most vulnerable members of the community (the young, the socially isolated, the suicidal, those addicted to various substances) who are most likely to have a significant problem with gambling. This group being over 22,000 people in SA

Gambling problems have been severely exacerbated by the introduction of poker machines. These government-sanctioned machines pose a grave risk to the future health, and wellbeing of vulnerable members of the community, yet anything goes as far as advertising.

"The move announced today by the NSW Government to ban advertising for gambling is therefore sensible and practical." Said Rev Dr Geoff Scott, Minister of UnitingCare Wesley Adelaide.

"We call on the South Australian Government to follow the NSW lead and also announce a ban on all advertising of gambling activities and products in South Australia" insisted Rev Scott. "A ban on advertising of gambling would be a clear signal by the SA Parliament that it is serious about the consumer protection role for government legislated at the end of May this year."

"Our community has been sold too many lies about gambling, including the mythical benefits for the community of introducing poker machines. Pokies have only benefited a very small group of people who are now very wealthy. In recent months gambling advertising has told us that it’s OK to steal a bus and ignore responsibilities on buying a lottery ticket while phone sex and other exploitative relationships have been used to promote the TAB. These are not positive contributions to our society and illustrate how unhelpful gambling advertising is" Rev Scott concluded.

 

For Further Comment
Mark Henley Senior Policy Officer	(08) 8202 5135 (b) 0404 067 011 (mob) (08) 8370 1112 (ah)