Federal Minister Alan Tudge Says Public Hates Gambling Ads

Australian Federal Minister Alan Tudge said that the public "hates" gambling ads, but confidential figures reveal an "advertising arms race" with ad spending by corporate bookmakers hitting more than A$80M ($57M), and one bookmaker outlaying $33M ($23M) in a single year, according to Rick Wallace of THE AUSTRALIAN. Tudge, in charge of government reforms to Internet gambling laws, said that MPs had "heard considerable feedback from constituents about how much people disliked the amount of gambling advertising on TV." Tudge: "Many of the state governments are taking stronger measures." Confidential ad spending figures show Sportsbet spent almost A$34M in the year to the end of Octobe­r, up from about A$20M "in the equivalent period of the previous­ year." William Hill spent more than A$13M, and Ladbrokes and Bet365 about A$12M and A$5M. The analysis shows "how corporate bookies time ad blitzes around key sporting events and is likely to reignite debate about levels of gambling advertising" (THE AUSTRALIAN, 2/12).