❓ The Minister clarifies the government's position on gambling advertising, focusing on the ban of live odds promotion during sporting events to protect children, while allowing responsible advertising by government trading enterprises like the TAB to support the racing industry.
AnsweredQoN 616Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
GAMBLING — ADVERTISING
616. Mr I.M. BRITZA to the
Minister for Racing and Gaming:
Before I ask my question, I acknowledge the year 7 leadership
group from Maida Vale Primary School, in the member for Forrestfield's
electorate, sitting in the Speaker's gallery.
Will the minister clarify the government's position
on gambling advertising and explain how it contributes to the racing industry
in Western Australia?
616. Mr I.M. BRITZA to the
Minister for Racing and Gaming:
Before I ask my question, I acknowledge the year 7 leadership
group from Maida Vale Primary School, in the member for Forrestfield's
electorate, sitting in the Speaker's gallery.
Will the minister clarify the government's position
on gambling advertising and explain how it contributes to the racing industry
in Western Australia?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member very much for the
question. Yesterday, the issue of gambling advertising was raised in the house.
It was obvious to me that there was a fair amount of confusion, particularly
among members opposite, on the facts of the matter, so I thank the member for
the question.
Several members interjected.
Mr
T.K. WALDRON : I want to tell members the facts today. In May, a meeting was
held between the state and federal governments and concerns were expressed,
particularly about the broadcasting at major events of live-odds promotion by
prominent gambling operators. The federal government subsequently announced
that it would move to ban this form of advertising under its powers to control
broadcasting if the industry did not voluntarily move on it. I quote from a
joint media statement dated 7 July, from the Premier and me, as follows —
''The most worrying aspect
is that children watching sporting events are being bombarded with gambling
advertising.
''We don't want
young West Australian fans conditioned to think that gambling is an essential
part of their favourite sport.
''We want them to go to our
stadiums to watch their sporting heroes, not the latest odds being offered by
the bookmakers to entice people to place a bet.''
I have that media statement. We are talking about live odds.
In support of that, the state government announced its intention to ban the
physical advertising of live odds in our sporting arenas on big screens and
in-house announcements et cetera. That announcement was to complement the
federal ban. Our concern about the promotion of live odds at our football
stadiums during sporting events is that children are there and we do not think
we should condone that form of advertising. But I want to point out that this
has nothing to do with the ability of government trading enterprises, such as
the TAB, and Lotterywest for that matter, to promote their services in a
publicly responsible way. That is what the advertising campaign the member
asked about is doing. That campaign is the first rebranding for 15 years. We
should remember that Racing and Wagering Western Australia has two primary
roles: to govern and fund the racing industry and to operate the TAB. The
operation of the TAB is the primary funding source of the industry. We have 55 not-for-profit
racing clubs around the state and $120 million in stakes to our clubs all comes
from this. It generates $600 million a year in economic value and 17 000
full-time jobs and provides about $4 million in funds to grassroots sport in
Western Australia. It is an operating business and it is very competitive on a
national market with interstate competitors, which are targeting our wagering
business, so we need to advertise, albeit in a responsible way. I take that
point very seriously. To remain competitive, like the Lotteries Commission,
that is what we are doing.
Mr M.P. Murray interjected.
Mr
T.K. WALDRON : I want to move on, as the Speaker wants me to get on with the
answer. Members opposite did not understand yesterday that they were attacking
the Premier about live odds.
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Member for Albany!
Mr T.K. WALDRON :
There is also the generic advertising of a business, which is what I am talking
about.
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER : Thank
you! Member for Albany, I call you to order for the first time. Minister, will
you wind this up, please?
Mr T.K. WALDRON :
Yes. I have two points to make very quickly, Mr Speaker.
I guarantee to the house that Racing and Wagering Western
Australia is acutely aware of its responsibilities and obligations as a
wagering operator not to target children. It does not engage in live promotions
during sporting events and it abides by the federal industry code of conduct.
Under that national approach, its advertising is generally not at times when
children watch television.
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER : Members!
Mr T.K. WALDRON :
Members need to read the national code.
I will finish by saying that without the support of the
wagering side of the TAB, the racing industry would collapse and our grassroots
sport would be greatly affected. The important point here at the end —
Mr M.P. Murray interjected.
Mr T.K. WALDRON :
Does the member for Collie–Preston actually support the racing industry
or not? The member does not support it and he does not understand it.
[See paper 1027.]
question. Yesterday, the issue of gambling advertising was raised in the house.
It was obvious to me that there was a fair amount of confusion, particularly
among members opposite, on the facts of the matter, so I thank the member for
the question.
Several members interjected.
Mr
T.K. WALDRON : I want to tell members the facts today. In May, a meeting was
held between the state and federal governments and concerns were expressed,
particularly about the broadcasting at major events of live-odds promotion by
prominent gambling operators. The federal government subsequently announced
that it would move to ban this form of advertising under its powers to control
broadcasting if the industry did not voluntarily move on it. I quote from a
joint media statement dated 7 July, from the Premier and me, as follows —
''The most worrying aspect
is that children watching sporting events are being bombarded with gambling
advertising.
''We don't want
young West Australian fans conditioned to think that gambling is an essential
part of their favourite sport.
''We want them to go to our
stadiums to watch their sporting heroes, not the latest odds being offered by
the bookmakers to entice people to place a bet.''
I have that media statement. We are talking about live odds.
In support of that, the state government announced its intention to ban the
physical advertising of live odds in our sporting arenas on big screens and
in-house announcements et cetera. That announcement was to complement the
federal ban. Our concern about the promotion of live odds at our football
stadiums during sporting events is that children are there and we do not think
we should condone that form of advertising. But I want to point out that this
has nothing to do with the ability of government trading enterprises, such as
the TAB, and Lotterywest for that matter, to promote their services in a
publicly responsible way. That is what the advertising campaign the member
asked about is doing. That campaign is the first rebranding for 15 years. We
should remember that Racing and Wagering Western Australia has two primary
roles: to govern and fund the racing industry and to operate the TAB. The
operation of the TAB is the primary funding source of the industry. We have 55 not-for-profit
racing clubs around the state and $120 million in stakes to our clubs all comes
from this. It generates $600 million a year in economic value and 17 000
full-time jobs and provides about $4 million in funds to grassroots sport in
Western Australia. It is an operating business and it is very competitive on a
national market with interstate competitors, which are targeting our wagering
business, so we need to advertise, albeit in a responsible way. I take that
point very seriously. To remain competitive, like the Lotteries Commission,
that is what we are doing.
Mr M.P. Murray interjected.
Mr
T.K. WALDRON : I want to move on, as the Speaker wants me to get on with the
answer. Members opposite did not understand yesterday that they were attacking
the Premier about live odds.
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Member for Albany!
Mr T.K. WALDRON :
There is also the generic advertising of a business, which is what I am talking
about.
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER : Thank
you! Member for Albany, I call you to order for the first time. Minister, will
you wind this up, please?
Mr T.K. WALDRON :
Yes. I have two points to make very quickly, Mr Speaker.
I guarantee to the house that Racing and Wagering Western
Australia is acutely aware of its responsibilities and obligations as a
wagering operator not to target children. It does not engage in live promotions
during sporting events and it abides by the federal industry code of conduct.
Under that national approach, its advertising is generally not at times when
children watch television.
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER : Members!
Mr T.K. WALDRON :
Members need to read the national code.
I will finish by saying that without the support of the
wagering side of the TAB, the racing industry would collapse and our grassroots
sport would be greatly affected. The important point here at the end —
Mr M.P. Murray interjected.
Mr T.K. WALDRON :
Does the member for Collie–Preston actually support the racing industry
or not? The member does not support it and he does not understand it.
[See paper 1027.]
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