Golden Days of Gambling Advertising Drive Off Into New South Wales Sunset

_{Minister for Transport discusses the ban on gambling advertisements across New South Wales public transport. (Image: Australian Associated Press / Alamy)}

For those who enjoyed looking at those huge adverts on red London Routemaster buses, the news from New South Wales may come as a bit of a shock.  

Gambling advertising on public transport in New South Wales is set to be banned over the next 12 months. The ban covers all verticals, including online casinos and sports betting.

Contract holders for the state-owned and controlled assets will have to comply with the new dictate from the government.

Ban Will Cover Vast Number of State-Owned Assets 

Transport where the ban will be enforced includes buses, trains, metro and light rail applicable to internal and external advertising.

Additionally, gambling companies will not be able to advertise at train stations or ferry terminals. In effect, the total number of subtractive advertising spaces will be approximately 5,000.

The 49 road-facing billboards will also be included in the ban, as well as 76 trams across the Tangara train fleet and over 3,500 buses and 800 advertising assets at train stations.   

Government’s Commitment to Reduce Gambling Harms  

Minister for Transport, Jo Haylen, said: “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.”

Minister for Gaming and Racing David Harris said: “Removing gambling advertising from public transport is another demonstration of the Minns Labour Government’s commitment to reducing gambling harm in NSW.”