The Guardian has announced that it will no longer accept gambling advertising across all of its global platforms.
The publication’s new policy seeks to address the prevalence of gambling advertising and the pervasive nature of retargeted digital advertisements that trap some people in an addictive and unhealthy cycle of gambling.
Guardian Australia has previously reported extensively on the devastating impacts of gambling, including its role in driving financial distress, mental health issues, and the various personal and social problems it causes for individuals, families and communities. This includes gambling associated with sports betting, pokies and other forms of online gambling.
Studies reveal that a majority of the population would support a ban on gambling advertisements in some form, and Guardian Australia’s journalism will now be delivered in an environment free of any advertising that promotes betting, wagering or online casinos.
The new policy applies to all online advertisements on the Guardian’s website, app, audio, video, and newsletters, as well as print advertisements in the Guardian and Observer newspapers in the UK and Guardian Weekly. The policy covers all forms of gambling advertising, including sports betting, online casinos and scratchcards.
Lenore Taylor, editor of Guardian Australia, said: “Readers want to enjoy the coverage of their favourite sport without being bombarded by ads encouraging them to bet on it. And while some of them may still enjoy the occasional bet, we want to be able to report on the unfolding debate about gambling harm, and the impact of saturation gambling advertising on this problem, certain that we are not contributing to it.”
Mason Rook, commercial director of Guardian Australia, said: “We believe that advertising should complement and enhance the reader experience, and positively impact society at the same time. With over half of Australians saying change is needed, there has never been a better time to take this bold step.
“No longer accepting gambling advertising will provide a more consistent and united message across the Guardian’s platforms, and will only serve to enhance the trusted, safe and effective advertising environment that advertisers have come to know us for. We hope others will be encouraged to take steps like these.”
The announcement comes as a parliamentary inquiry into online gambling and its associated harms is set to be released by the Australian government.
In recent years, the Australian gambling industry has grown rapidly, and now it accounts for the highest gambling losses in the world, with approximately $25billion lost annually.
More than 150 betting companies operate online in Australia and an estimated 1.3 million people in Australia experience gambling harm. This is in large part thanks to 24/7 betting apps on smartphones, which have placed high stakes gambling machines in almost every pocket. A greater risk of gambling addiction and financial ruin is just a few clicks away.
The Guardian will continue to review policies to ensure they remain compliant with laws relating to gambling advertising.
The ban on advertising gambling products comes after the Guardian announced it would no longer carry advertising from oil and gas companies in 2020.