The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) and the Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP) have supported an outright ban on all forms of gambling advertising in their new joint position statement, Prevention and Treatment of Gambling-Related Harm.

The newly released statement highlights the urgent need for legislative action to address gambling-related harm in Australia, emphasising the impact it can have on individuals, families, and support networks, including carers.

The RANZCP and RACP are also calling on the Commonwealth and state and territory governments to remove barriers that prevent people from seeking treatment for addiction, stressing the importance of assessing, diagnosing, and addressing harmful gambling behaviour.

“Addressing these issues is essential, especially for affected individuals who cannot access evidence-based therapeutic interventions,” the RANZCP and RACP said in their joint statement.

Quotes attributed to Dr Elizabeth Moore, President of the RANZCP:

“Increasing rates of gambling-related harm among Australians is a significant concern for psychiatrists, given its strong correlation with comorbid mental health disorders.

“It can tear apart families, fuelling financial troubles, economic abuse, and intimate partner violence, with gambling proven to intensify the factors that drive violence against women and their economic abuse.

“Banning all forms of gambling advertising through legislation is critical to address their pervasive effect on people’s mental health and wellbeing.

“We’re advocating for the implementation of all the recommendations made in the You Win Some, You Lose More report to minimise gambling-related harm amongst Australian communities, especially for priority groups that are more likely to be at risk.”

Quotes attributed to Dr Jennifer Martin, President of the RACP:

"Gambling negatively impacts people's health and wellbeing, and gambling advertising adds fuel to the fire and compounds these harms to individuals, families and the community.

"The Government must recognise the damaging effects of gambling and must treat it as the health issue it is.

"There needs to be appropriate investment in wrap-around services for people who are impacted, ensuring access to treatment and support to everyone who needs them.

"Ultimately, without a ban on all forms of gambling advertising the health of Australians is put at serious risk."

The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) is a membership organisation that prepares doctors to be medical specialists in the field of psychiatry across Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand.

The Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP), connects, trains, and represents over 30,000 medical specialists and trainee specialists from 33 different specialties, across Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand.

For all other expert mental health information visit Your Health in Mind, the RANZCP’s consumer health information website.

ENQUIRIES:

RANZCP: For more information, or to arrange an interview call Dishi Gahlowt on +61 437 315 911 or email media@ranzcp.org.

In Australia: If you or someone you know needs help, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or www.lifeline.org.au or the Suicide Callback Service on 1300 659 467 or www.suicidecallbackservice.org.au.

In New Zealand: If you or someone you know needs help, contact Lifeline NZ on 0800 543 354 or www.lifeline.org.nz or the Suicide Crisis Helpline on 0508 828 865 or www.lifeline.org.nz/suicide-prevention.