In a significant move to combat gambling harm, the New South Wales (NSW) Government has announced plans to remove all gambling-related advertisements from public transport across the state. This ban, which will include trains, buses, ferries, and other state-owned infrastructure such as metro stations, is designed to reduce the visibility of gambling promotions that have become a common feature on public transport.

Expanding efforts to tackle gambling harm:

Transport Minister Jo Haylen voiced strong support for the new measures, stating that gambling advertisements had become a concern, especially for parents worried about the influence on children. “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,” Haylen said.

The ban also extends to private assets near public transport hubs, such as bus stops and retail outlets, where the government will work with the relevant parties to ensure that gambling promotions are kept to a minimum. This policy mirrors a similar initiative that was rolled out in Victoria back in 2017.

Given the scale of the state’s public transport network, which includes over 3,500 buses, 798 advertising assets at train stations, and a significant number of other assets across trams and light rail, it will take some time to implement the changes. Haylen confirmed that the government is working closely with its advertising contractors to ensure the ban is enforced across the system over the next 12 months.

This decision is part of a larger suite of reforms introduced by the Minns Labor Government aimed at reducing gambling-related harm. These measures have already included steps such as reducing the statewide gaming machine entitlement cap and banning political donations from clubs with electronic gaming machines. The government has also worked to reduce the cash input limits for new gaming machines and placed restrictions on gambling signage in venues.

Minister for Gaming and Racing David Harris highlighted that removing gambling ads from public transport aligns with these broader efforts in the regulator’s press release. He pointed out that, “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.”

These reforms are part of a larger strategy to combat the gambling crisis in the state, which has seen Australians experiencing the highest per-capita gambling losses globally—estimated at AU$25bn ($15.6bn) annually. The NSW government is aiming to reduce these losses through various initiatives, including research funding, treatment services, and the establishment of an Independent Panel for a cashless gaming trial.

A shift in how gambling is advertised:

The gambling advertising ban follows mounting public pressure to curb the reach of gambling promotions. It also comes amid increased scrutiny and regulatory actions in the gambling sector, such as a December 2024 compliance operation by Liquor & Gaming NSW aimed at preventing underage gambling in casinos. The operation involved strict enforcement of ID checks and penalties for breaches, underscoring the government’s commitment to regulating the industry more effectively.

Additionally, previous reports, such as one from the NSW Crime Commission, highlighted concerns about money laundering linked to pokies and recommended introducing a cashless gaming system by 2028. While the gambling ad ban is a positive step, critics argue that systemic reforms are needed to address the deeper issues plaguing the industry, such as addiction and its harmful impact on local communities.

Transport for NSW, which manages one of the largest portfolios of public advertising assets in Australia, will now ensure that gambling ads are removed from its extensive array of assets, which include 798 advertising boards at Sydney train stations, 49 road-facing digital billboards, and ads on up to 3,711 urban buses. The scale of these assets means that the process of phasing out gambling promotions will be gradual, but the government is committed to following through on the change over the next year.

The changes will affect not only gambling advertisements but also any political advertising, with a strict prohibition on political ads across Transport’s assets. These changes are being implemented as part of the wider reforms, which include a variety of new measures aimed at curbing gambling harm, such as banning all external gambling signage in venues and limiting the placement of gambling-related advertisements around ATMs and EFTPOS terminals.