Media release - Reports of Prime Minister's Office's disgraceful gambling comments

Melissa McIntosh MP
Shadow Minister for Communications
Shadow Minister for Western Sydney
Federal Member for Lindsay

13 March 2025

Reports of Prime Minister’s Office’s disgraceful gambling comments

Crikey has revealed the Prime Minister’s Office told gambling reform advocates that gambling was not as serious an issue as smoking.

At a time when smoking has decreased by two-thirds since 1991, sports betting has increased by 66 per cent since 2015. The government’s narrative is wrong and does not help advocates working to assist those impacted by gambling addiction.

The Albanese Labor Government has been left isolated in the Australian Parliament, as the only major party to not commit to the reduction of gambling ad harm.  

The Opposition Leader, Peter Dutton took leadership on this issue nearly two years ago, stating the Coalition’s position is to ban gambling ads one hour before, during and one hour after live sports broadcasts. A bill was put to the Senate, but Labor and the Greens voted against it.

Shadow Minister for Communications, Melissa McIntosh said, “it is disgraceful to read reports that the PMO would say one form of addiction over another is somehow less harmful.”

“What’s worse is key gambling reform advocates and former betting have had their stories diminished by this conversation. Families’ lives have been torn a part due to betting and the PMO should apologise,” said Mrs McIntosh.

“The Prime Minister told the Parliament last year, ‘the government has made it very clear that the status quo regarding the saturation of gambling advertising, particularly where children are exposed to it, is untenable.’

“Then the government should have supported the Coalition’s commonsense Bill back in 2023. The Albanese Labor Government has failed Australian families by doing nothing. Labor has been sitting on a report from their own committee inquiry since 2023 which noted gambling as a public health issue, and now they’re waiting until after the election to announce a position on gambling ad reforms.

“A Dutton-led Coalition government will ensure families enjoying the broadcast of their favourite sporting event will be protected from gambling ads which we know cause harm, particularly to children.”