Thursday, 18 May 2023

Adjournment

Gayle TIERNEY (Western Victoria – Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education, Minister for Agriculture) (15:36): I move:

That the house do now adjourn.

Gambling regulation

Trung LUU (Western Metropolitan) (15:36): (230) My adjournment is for the Minister for Casino, Gaming and Liquor Regulation. The action I seek today is for the minister to act decisively to prevent further harm to my constituents. I call for the government to restrict the advertising of sports gambling online and betting ads on social media. This would involve stronger regulation, limits on advertising during sporting events and more investment on education campaigns to raise awareness of the risks of problem gambling.

The government has taken steps to combat the rise of sports gambling across the digital space. The rise of sports gambling online and betting on social media is causing significant harm to my community, especially within my electorate of Western Metropolitan Region. This includes the City of Brimbank, which has the largest losses within the state. The impact of exposure to gambling advertising is not limited to adults only. Children and young people are also at risk. Children are exposed to ads during sporting events which are frequently watched by their families. Data shows the losses from wagering and sports betting in Victoria reached an estimated $2.3 billion in 2020–21. That $2.3 billion estimate is a 42 per cent increase from the previous financial year.

Sports gambling advertising on social media is also concerning, given it is difficult to monitor and control. Social media is designed to promote as it engages the user, and the effect is it is possibly most highly effective in targeting vulnerable individuals and adapting its algorithms around these people. The harm caused by sports gambling cannot be ignored. We have a responsibility to act in the best interests of the community and protect the vulnerable people. I implore that you take some serious consideration and take action to prevent harm to my community.