The House of Representatives standing committee on social policy and legal affairs today tabled its report on online gambling and its impacts, which included a raft of 31 recommendations.

“Australians are the biggest losers in the world when it comes to gambling,” Dunkley MP and committee chair Peta Murphy said.

“We have a culture where sport and gambling are intrinsically linked.

“These behaviours are causing increasingly widespread and serious harm to individuals, families, and communities.”

Among the recommendations are a levy on online gambling services, the national regulation of online gambling, establishing an ombudsman, and a public education campaign.

Murphy said the advertising for online gambling was “inescapable”.

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“Gambling advertising and simulated gambling through video games, is grooming children and young people to gamble and encourages riskier behaviour,” Murphy said.

“A phased, comprehensive ban on online gambling advertising is recommended within three years.”

She said this would give sports codes and broadcasters time to find alternative advertisers and sponsors.

The committee also called for a crackdown on illegal gambling websites, and more support services.

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