Australian cricketer Usman Khawaja has stated that the Albanese government is moving too slowly to ban gambling advertisements and needs to disconnect the link between wagering and sports to safeguard children.
Khawaja joined several crossbench MPs, public health academics, doctors, and individuals with personal experience at Parliament House to make a public call for change.
Khawaja expressed concern about the relationship young children are developing with gambling, highlighting that it is both alarming and hazardous. “We are normalizing gambling for the younger generation,” he said.
“It’s impossible to watch an NRL game without seeing odds right before kickoff,” he added. “When I play grade cricket with young players, I notice 16-year-olds with gambling accounts who can’t watch a game without placing a bet.”
The Albanese government has not yet formally responded to a bipartisan parliamentary report led by the late Labor MP Peta Murphy. The report recommended a comprehensive ban on gambling ads after a three-year transition period.
Although the government intended to introduce legislation before the May federal election, the plans were put on hold due to strong opposition from broadcasters, sports organizations, and some bookmakers.
The Communications Minister, Annika Wells, has resumed talks with the industry, and gambling sources have informed Guardian Australia that they anticipate seeing legislation by the end of the year.
When asked about the government’s first step, Khawaja emphasized, “We need to ban gambling from sports; it’s a simple solution.”
“We need to go cold turkey, just like what happened with tobacco,” Khawaja stated. “It’s our responsibility to act.”
“If gambling is repeatedly associated with sports and athletes, making it seem like you can’t watch sports without gambling, that sets a very dangerous precedence,” he added.
Khawaja met with Prime Minister Albanese and Treasurer Jim Chalmers on Thursday to discuss these issues.
Although Chalmers stated that the conversation focused on the Middle East, Khawaja had earlier held a press conference with Labor MP Ed Husic, independent MPs such as Helen Haines and Kate Chaney, and activist David Pocock. They were calling on the government to impose further sanctions on Israel and sever trade ties in response to Palestinian civilian deaths in the Gaza war.
Chalmers praised Khawaja as a good friend and a “wonderful humanitarian,” expressing respect for his contributions and stating that they took his input seriously.
The offices of the prime minister and communication minister were reached out for comment on this matter.
Prime Minister Albanese previously mentioned in parliament that the government is cautious about people going offshore to continue gambling, as offshore gambling services are banned in Australia and lack consumer protections.
Professor Samantha Thomas from Deakin University, who specializes in gambling research, expressed concern over the government’s approach to this issue, suggesting that they may be adopting “industry talking points.”
Despite arguments from bookmakers that restrictions on gambling in Australia may push customers to offshore providers, Thomas stated that there is limited evidence to support this claim.
Dr. Kerrie Aust from the Australian Medical Association, who also joined the call for change, highlighted the need to protect children from the negative impact of gambling advertising.
Independent MP Kate Chaney, a member of the Murphy inquiry, accused the federal government of “listening to the money from gambling, sport, and media” instead of “listening to the voices of the community”.
