Media Release: Ban Gambling Ads in all State Venues Call
Call for Ban on Gambling Ads at all State Venues
3 November 2025
Independent Member for Nelson Meg Webb today announced she will move in the Upper House for a ban on gambling advertising and sponsorship across all State-owned or state-funded venues, as a joint effort with Independent Member for Clark, Kristie Johnston MP.
“Evidence tells us the saturation of gambling advertising, such as during sport events, is normalizing gambling, especially for children and young people,” Ms Webb said.
“The co-sponsored motion I will table in the Upper House this week seeks to provide all Tasmanians, but especially our children and young people, safe State-owned or funded facilities free from predatory gambling advertising.
“This would include any new AFL-demanded stadium.
“The proposed ban would also include any gambling logos on players’ uniforms, consistent with recommendations made by a 2023 Federal parliamentary inquiry into online gambling and its harmful impacts.”
Ms Webb said recent Australian Gambling Research Centre data reveals around 3 million Australians are engaged in harmful gambling activities, with young people aged between 18 and 24 almost twice as likely to be in the high risk category compared with other age groups.
“Gambling companies know, just as tobacco companies did, that hooking people young creates a customer pipeline for life.
“Gambling and gambling-related harm is clearly a serious public health issue and requires a strong public health response.
“The community is demanding action. Recent national polling showing three in four Australians support a total ban on gambling ads, with 81 percent supporting banning online gambling ads, and 79 per cent also seeking a ban on players’ uniforms being used to promote gambling.
“Sport fans are also fed up with gambling ads. A 2022 AFL Fans Survey Report revealed 79 per cent wanted gambling ads banned from AFL grounds.”
Ms Webb said public health experts have called for such a ban, including the Tasmania branch of the Public Health Association, which has adopted a policy position supporting a legislative ban on all forms of gambling marketing including sports sponsorship and advertising.
“Just as governments tackled road mortality by mandating seat-belts, and the escalating cost of smoking-related disease by prohibiting tobacco advertising, we need a similar public health-based approach to banning gambling advertising and sponsorship.
“I am proud to be joining forces with my Lower House independent colleague Kristie Johnston to place this urgent matter squarely in front of both Chambers.
“The Australian Government has failed to act despite a federal parliamentary inquiry recommending a ban on all in-stadia advertising.
“Tasmania must now show leadership by implementing that ban where it can, such as at all state owned or funded venues.”
Ms Webb intends to debate her motion during the December sitting session this year.
If passed, the motion would require a complete ban on gambling ads and sponsorship at all state owned or funded venues within 12 months, including an implementation progress report to be tabled in parliament within six months.
Text of Motion Meg Webb will table in the Legislative Council on Tuesday 4 November, (for debate during December sitting session).
That the Council —
- Notes that gambling harm in Tasmania remains significant, with annual poker machine losses alone exceeding $190 million, and growing evidence linking exposure to gambling advertising with risky gambling behaviour and the grooming of children into gambling;
- Further notes the findings and recommendations of the Commonwealth House of Representatives Standing Committee on Social Policy and Legal Affairs in its 2023 report You Win Some, You Lose More – Inquiry into Online Gambling and Its Impacts on Those Experiencing Gambling Harm, particularly Recommendation 26, which calls for the Australian Government, with the cooperation of the states and territories, to implement a comprehensive ban on all forms of gambling advertising, including a “prohibition on all in-stadia advertising and logos on players’ uniforms.”;
- Recognises that governments have a clear public health responsibility to avoid promoting activities known to cause harm — just as occurred when tobacco advertising and sponsorship were banned to protect community wellbeing;
- Affirms that publicly owned venues should model this standard by prohibiting gambling advertising and sponsorship that normalise or glamorise wagering;
- Calls on the Government to:
(a) introduce, within one year of this resolution, a complete ban on gambling advertising and sponsorship at all state-owned or state-funded venues, including the proposed Macquarie Point Stadium, and on players’ uniforms; and
(b) table a progress report within six months of this resolution on the implementation of the removal of gambling advertising from existing venues.
