Confirmed by regulator Liquor & Gaming New South Wales, the ban covers all casino, lottery and online betting adverts. This includes advertising on trains, metro, buses, light rail, as well as at train stations and ferry terminals.
The ban will apply to all assets owned and controlled by Transport, which operates a large portfolio of advertising assets. This includes 798 advertising boards at Sydney train stations, 49 road-facing digital billboards, adverts on up to 3,711 urban buses, 76 trams and across the Tangara train fleet.
The government will now work with advertising contract holders to implement the required changes over the next 12 months. Transport’s advertising suppliers must ensure advertising material complies with all applicable laws.
The new gambling rules will be on top of other measures already facing Transport’s contract holders. These include a ban on political advertising on all assets, which applies equally to all political parties.
For non-Transport assets, the government will work with these entities to see how adverts can align with the ban. Assets not owned by Transport include bus stops, retail outlets and private property located close to public transport.
Tackling gambling harm in New South Wales
Commenting on the decision, minister for transport Jo Haylen said it forms part of a wider and ongoing effort to reduce the risk of gambling harm in the state.
“Gambling advertising has been a common sight on our public transport for a couple of years now,” Haylen said. “I’m pleased our government is taking action to remove it. Parents are rightly worried about the impact it has on their kids, so it’s not something that we think that needs to be on our transport network.”
“With over 3,500 buses, close to 800 advertising assets at train stations, as well as adverts on light rail and trains, Transport’s advertising contracts are vast. Because of the scale it will take some time to implement this change. But we will be working closely with our contract partners over the next 12 months to get this done.”
Minister for gaming and racing David Harris also voiced his support for the ban. Harris said it will further help reduce the public’s exposure to gambling advertising in New South Wales.
“This move will reduce the public’s exposure to gambling advertising and builds on the suite of reforms the government has introduced over the past 20 months to reduce harmful impacts of gambling,” Harris said.
Ongoing effort by Minns government
Other measures implemented by the Minns Labour government since it came to power in April 2023 include banning all external gambling signage. This applies to all pubs and clubs across New South Wales.
There is also a similar new measure for signage around ATMs inside gambling venues. Since 1 July last year, venues are prohibited from placing signage of adverts for gaming machines on ATMs. In addition, ATMs and similar machines must now be placed at least five metres from the entry to a gaming room and not be visible from gaming machines.
Other Minns government changes include reducing the cash input limit on new gaming machines from $5,000 to $500. Political donations from clubs with electronic gaming machines is also now banned.
Original article: https://igamingbusiness.com/marketing-affiliates/new-south-wales-ban-gambling-adverts-public-transport/
