Parliament Unanimously Supports Ban on Gambling Ads on Public Transport

MEDIA RELEASE

Parliament Unanimously Supports Ban on Gambling Ads on Public Transport  

Thursday 19 June 2025

In a major win for public health and community wellbeing, the Malinauskas Labor Government has agreed to ban gambling advertisements across public transport spaces - a move driven by sustained pressure from SA-BEST MLC Connie Bonaros.

The Legislative Council passed the motion last night with unanimous, multi-partisan support, in a rare but powerful show of agreement on the urgent need to reduce gambling harm.

The decision follows a motion brought by Ms Bonaros earlier this year, urging the government to treat gambling harm with the same seriousness as alcohol, tobacco, and junk food advertising.

The upcoming ban will apply to all public transport advertising - including on buses, trains, trams, and associated infrastructure - bringing South Australia into line with New South Wales and Victoria, which introduced similar bans in 2024 and 2017 respectively.

Ms Bonaros welcomed the move as a long-overdue but crucial step in reducing harm and protecting children and vulnerable people from the constant and normalising presence of gambling promotion.

Research shows that gambling advertising desensitises young people and contributes to risky behaviours. In Australia, one in three teenagers and nearly half of 18–19-year-olds are already gambling.

At the same time, the State reaps more than $670 million annually from gambling, including $460 million from poker machines - a profit that comes at the expense of community wellbeing.

“This is a win for children, families and commuters,” Ms Bonaros said.

“But it’s only the beginning. If we’re serious about reducing gambling harm, we need systemic reform.”

Quotes attributable to the Hon. Connie Bonaros MLC

“Our kids are being bombarded with ads that normalise gambling on their way to school. Our public transport should be safe, supportive spaces, not rolling billboards that promote addictive behaviour. That ends now.

“The government has been profiting from pain — cashing in while vulnerable South Australians are targeted by a relentless cycle of advertising that normalises gambling. This ban is a vital step forward.

“We don’t need gambling ads wrapped around trams rolling down North Terrace. We have better things to advertise than the products of an industry built on loss.

“SA-BEST has long advocated for strong, sensible reform to reduce gambling harm — this is a meaningful step forward.

Media and Communications Advisor | Kate Joykate.joy@parliament.sa.gov.au | 0403711981