Betting giant Tabcorp backs proposed gambling ad ban

Tabcorp has become the first wagering company to back a proposed gambling ad ban, as the government looks to finalise its proposal. 

The Australian reports that in its submission to the parliamentary review into gambling advertising, Tabcorp said betting ads should only be shown in places where “people go to gamble, including pubs, clubs, or racetracks or on exclusive platforms dedicated to gambling events such as Sky Racing TV and radio.”

Its submission also highlighted that over half of Australians think there is too much gambling advertising.

Australians spend the most in the world, per capita, on legal forms of gambling, losing $25 billion every year. Australians also lose the most money to online gambling, per capita, in the world.

Detailing the impacts of gambling ads on local business, Tabcorp added that “foreign bookies have been targeting customers of pubs, clubs, and the local Australian state-based licensee with aggressive advertising and inducements, especially when retail venues were forced to close during the pandemic.”

Whilst the details of the government’s ad ban haven’t been finalised, Communications Minister Michelle Rowland has reportedly put forward a proposal that would see betting ads unable to air on TV, radio, and catch-up platforms an hour before and after live sport broadcasts.

The proposal also reportedly includes a cap of two ads per hour on FTA until 10pm, and a total ban on gambling ads on digital platforms and social media.

See also: Networks call for spectrum fee cut as gambling ad ban proposal finalised

This is a departure from the original proposal, put forward last year by the late Labor MP Peta Murphy, who led a review that ultimately recommended rolling out a total ban on gambling ads over a three year period. 

In January 2023, Tabcorp handed its brand and strategy account to Accenture Song and appointed Ogilvy to handle CX duties. Accenture Song succeeded incumbent creative agency M&C Saatchi, which declined to re-pitch after three years with the company.

Earlier this year, Tabcorp entered discussions with Foxtel’s Kayo Sports and Nine’s Stan Sports about putting feeds of its Sky Racing channels online. Negotiations came after Tabcorp secured the rights to the Melbourne Cup from the Victoria Racing Club, coming to a deal with Nine to sub-licence the race that stops the nation on a free-to-air network.