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Gambling ads banned on NSW public transport

The move is the latest in a suite of reforms introduced by the NSW government to reduce gambling harm in the state

The NSW Government has outlined plans to implement a sweeping ban on gambling advertising across all TfNSW-owned and controlled assets, including trains, metro, buses, light rail, train stations, and ferry terminals.

The ban will also apply to all TfNSW advertising assets, including 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.

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Where assets are not owned by Transport (e.g. bus stops, retail outlets or nearby private property), the NSW Government will work with the relevant entitles to see how their advertising can align with the gambling advertising ban.

The move comes just weeks after South Australia announced a similar ban on junk food advertising across state-owned transport assets.

“Gambling advertising has been a common sight on our public transport for a couple of years now, and I’m pleased our Government is taking action to remove it,” transport minister Jo Haylen says.

“Parents are rightly worried about the impact it has on their kids, so its 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 advertising 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.”

These bans are the latest efforts by the NSW government to reduce gambling harm, which include the establishment of an Independent Panel to conduct a trial of cashless gaming in pubs and clubs throughout 2024, and the commitment of $100 million to invest in harm minimisation strategies such as research, treatment, services and reform.

The NSW Council of Social Services (NCOSS) has welcomed the move, and have called for further action to reduce gambling harm.

“We are pleased to see the NSW Government removing gambling ads from its stations, billboards, buses, trams and trains,” NCOSS CEO Cara Varian says.

“We know the devastating impact that gambling harm has on our community, and any step towards reducing its prevalence is a good thing.

“However, if the NSW Government is serious about reducing gambling harm, they should implement mandatory cashless gaming on our poker machines, as recommended in the Independent Panel on Gaming Reform Report.”

“NSW sadly leads the nation in poker machine losses, with more than $8.1 billion lost in 2023 (or $1,000 for every adult and child in the state), which is the highest per capita poker machine loss in the world.

“We commend the Government for its announcement today, but we encourage it to ramp up its efforts and implement stronger gambling reform measures.”

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