Gambling warning messages set to be toughened up

"Gamble responsibly" is a familiar warning that ends the advertisements from online gambling companies in Australia. But that's set to change with a mix of seven new phrases to be introduced under changes by the Federal government

The latest data from 2019 shows more than a third of Australian adults gambled at least once in a typical month, with an average monthly loss across all gambling of 133 dollars. That loss rises to 232 dollars for betting on racing. Source: AAP / DAVE HUNT/AAPIMAGE

Key Points

• The phrase "Gamble responsibly" is not effective
• Next year, companies will have to rotate through seven new phrases on TV and radio ads that promote online gambling.
• Australians are among the biggest gamblers in the world.

Australians spent three and a half billion dollars on racing in 2018-19, while a further one billion was lost on other sports.

Tim Costello from the Alliance for Gambling Reform wants sports betting ads banned all together.