A recent survey conducted between August 13-16, 2022, gathered responses from 1,003 participants regarding their opinions on various advertising bans. The survey focused on gambling advertising, tobacco advertising, junk food advertising during children’s viewing hours, alcohol advertising, and advertising promoting fossil fuels. The results indicated widespread support for a complete ban on gambling advertising, particularly among certain age groups, genders, and political affiliations.
Demographic Breakdown:
When analyzing the responses based on age, participants over the age of 60 displayed the highest percentage (50%) of strong agreement with a complete ban on gambling advertising. Conversely, individuals aged between 50 and 59 were most likely (6%) to strongly disagree with the ban. Furthermore, 2% of respondents from the 40-49 age group and those over 60 also expressed strong disagreement.
Gender and Political Affiliation:
Among the participants, 40% of women strongly agreed with a ban on gambling advertising, compared to 35% of men. The survey also revealed that One Nation voters exhibited the highest level of support for the ban, with 41% strongly in agreement. However, this group also had the highest percentage (14%) of participants strongly disagreeing with the ban.
Regional Perspectives:
Participants from Western Australia displayed the highest level of agreement (41%) with a ban on gambling advertising. They were followed by New South Wales (35%), Queensland (31%), and Victoria (27%).
Expert Analysis:
Dr. Richard Denniss, the executive director of the Australia Institute, highlighted the survey results as a strong indication of public support for a blanket ban on gambling advertising. He emphasized that Australians are increasingly weary of the gambling industry’s pervasive presence in media campaigns designed to entice individuals to bet. Dr. Denniss noted that the majority opinion was consistent across different voting intentions, emphasizing the need to phase out both junk food and gambling advertisements.
The survey results clearly demonstrate widespread support for a ban on gambling advertising in Australia. Certain demographic groups, such as those over 60 and women, exhibited higher levels of agreement with the ban. Additionally, One Nation voters displayed a mixed response, with a significant proportion both supporting and opposing the ban.
These findings indicate a growing sentiment among Australians to curb the influence of the gambling industry and promote healthier advertising practices. The survey serves as an important tool for policymakers and stakeholders to gauge public sentiment and consider the implementation of stricter regulations on gambling advertising.