Alliance Warns of Risks to Children
SYDNEY — The Alliance for Gambling Reform has raised concerns over Cricket Australia’s potential move to increase its gambling sponsorships, warning of harmful effects on children. Tim Costello, chief advocate of the Alliance, highlighted the risks during a recent statement.
Costello emphasised that Australians already face significant gambling losses, with a total of $31 billion lost annually. He pointed out that exposure to gambling ads through sports could further impact children, noting that 600,000 young Australians under 18 are already gambling.
Impact of Gambling on Youth
The warning comes amid reports that Cricket Australia is exploring ways to boost its revenue, including increasing ties to the gambling industry. Costello praised Cricket Australia’s previous efforts to limit gambling ads during the Big Bash League, contrasting it with other sports leagues like the AFL and NRL, which have fully embraced gambling sponsorships.
The Alliance urges Cricket Australia to prioritise children’s wellbeing over corporate interests, as the debate over sports and gambling sponsorships continues to grow in the country.
The Alliance calls for stricter regulations on gambling advertisements during sports broadcasts. They argue that the presence of gambling promotions during family-friendly events could lead to normalizing gambling behaviour among young fans. This normalization, they warn, could lead to an increase in gambling-related issues as these children grow older, potentially resulting in gambling addictions.
Source: newshub.medianet.com.au
Last updated: 2 April 2026, 4:33 pm
