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Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has indicated that an outright ban on gambling advertising would be difficult to enforce. 
In conversation with ABC News, the leader broke his silence on the matter at a time when the government is considering a review conducted on domestic and sexual violence. 
Within the report, there are calls for further restrictions on gambling and alcohol, due to links to the social issues mentioned above. Co-authored by family, domestic and sexual violence commissioner, Micaela Cronin, the ‘rapid review’ has pressed the current Labor administration to ban gambling ads, restrict gaming machines, and overhaul laws on online betting. 
While the government has intimated it does want to take measures to address societal problems, there is a reluctance to take drastic action, and now Prime Minister Albanese has commented on their position.
When asked about an outright ban, Albanese responded: “What’s in our mind is the practicalities of whether people just go offshore, then there’s no revenue at all. 
“They engage in gambling with no revenue coming back at all. And it doesn’t solve the problem.”
The 62-year-old Labor Party leader added that government ministers are still aiming to find a solution that represents progress, in line with the report’s recommendations, while striking a balance on practicality.
Further response to come from Australian government on gambling ads
A full response from the government is expected by around the end of the year, but it is not expected to agree to an outright ban on gambling ads. Some have also pointed to funding issues for media and professional sports in particular, if gambling advertising (through sponsorship) were completely eradicated.
There is support from crossbench MPs in the Australian legislature for stringent action to be taken on gambling, while lobby groups continue to push hard. 
While partial restrictions on the timing and frequency of gambling ads are more likely to be enacted at federal level, individual states have seized the initiative to do their own thing. 
In New South Wales, the ads have been banned on public transport, and Western Australia has tightened its framework on gambling ads and increased penalties for companies that flout the rules.
Image credit: Australian Government / CC. Attribution 4.0 International 
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Major hockey games in the NHL feature gambling messages more than three times a minute, according to the latest data.
Research conducted by the University of Bristol in a recent study found that NHL games featured an average of 3.5 gambling messages per broadcast minute. For comparison, the BNA shows just 0.26 messages per minute, or one in around every five minutes. That represents an increase from data collected back in 2023, which showed that 2.53 messages per minute were appearing in NHL games.
Sports betting is certainly on the rise in the US, and experts have raised concerns that not enough care is being taken to protect those who may be at risk from adverse effects. Gambling messages are showing up in a wide variety of prominent ad spaces in hockey games, such as rinkside adverts, jersey sponsorships, and in-studio segments.
That includes ads from brands like Play Alberta, ESPN Bet, and BetMGM, among others. The writers of the study, led by Raffaello Rossi, refer to this as “an aggressive integration of gambling messaging to the broadcasts,” particularly as there’s little to no inclusion of harm reduction slogans or age warning labels.
What’s next for gambling messages?
The study closes with recommendations to follow other countries’ lead in restricting gambling ads. 6,282 gambling messages were recorded across the 2025 NBA and NGL finals, highlighting that it’s not just an issue for hockey games – although the problem is more strongly felt. While the NBA seems to be reducing visible gambling content, perhaps due to attempting to be friendly towards platforms like YouTube with stronger content guidelines, the NHL continues to feature gambling promotion across its broadcasts.
The writers encourage regulation around including harm reduction elements and age warnings, in line with gambling harm reduction efforts, as well as looking overseas for examples of responsible practice. Countries such as Belgium, Spain, and the Netherlands have implemented either bans or restrictions on gambling messages, to avoid the risk of exposure for young or vulnerable people.
Featured image: PICRYL, licensed under PDM 1.0
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Raquel Brito, a social media influencer in Brazil, has been questioned over alleged illegal gambling promotions. 
The sister of Big Brother winner Davi Brito issued a statement through her lawyer on September 25 in Salvador, the capital of Brazil’s northeastern state of Bahia, while she was under investigation for suspected links to illegal gambling, misleading advertising, and money laundering.
Bahia’s State Public Prosecutor’s Office initiated the probe into the conduct and activity of content creator Raquel Brito, based on promotions of online gambling platforms, including the Jogo do Tigrinho” (Fortune Tiger) game. 
As part of the investigation, the authorities are considering whether Brito contributed to the financial loss experienced by users from exposure to these illicit, unregulated platforms.
Brito was accompanied by two lawyers for the appearance in Salvador, but she did not speak directly to the press.

🚨ASSISTA: Irmã de ex-BBB, Raquel Brito, é investigada por suspeita de publicidade enganosa. pic.twitter.com/tNI0aPQEuZ

— CHOQUEI (@choquei) August 25, 2025

Globo reports that an unfortunate incident occurred when the entourage was leaving the hearing, as Brito’s dress tore, leading to an altercation with the media gathered at the scene. 
The incident was also broadcast live by TV Aratu’s Alô Juca program, leading to further media attention and online commentary.
Wider action targeting influencer promotions and the scourge of unregulated gambling
The action pursued against Brito is part of a wider crackdown against influencers and alleged gambling endorsements, with similar cases targeting personalities such as  Tainá Sousa and Bia Miranda.
Similarly, Pakistani YouTuber Ducky Bhai was arrested earlier this month over alleged gambling promotions.
The crackdown in Brazil comes as the country’s Permanent Subcommittee on Sports Betting Regulation stressed that greater focus must be placed on the massive revenue losses to the illicit black market. 
A public hearing in Congress detailed that the underground gambling sector is believed to generate around R$35 billion ($6.4 billion) per year. 
That is thought to equal around half of all online gambling activity in Brazil.
Image credit: Raquel Brito / Instagram
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Aristocrat Gaming has confirmed the expansion of its KnowYourMax positive play initiative with the launch of a dedicated website for the resource.
Bettors will be able to access a range of player protection tools, self-help guides, and additional content to ensure that their gaming experience is as safe as possible.
KnowYourMax.com will also feature exclusive videos from Aristocrat’s Beyond the Reels series, which takes a deep dive into game features and terminology, while it also hosts tips on personal limits, timer tools, and myth-busting trivia. 
Megan Tobin, Head of Regulated Marketing for Aristocrat Gaming, commented, “We’re incredibly proud of the impact Know Your Max has already made with players and customers, as empowering safer play is one of Aristocrat’s core values and at the heart of our global business. 
She continued, “By launching this new, dedicated site for players, we’re continuing to bring informed choice to the forefront of everyone’s gaming experience from the start.”

More than 126 million total engagement impressions
The campaign has evolved from a headline slogan, “set a limit with your time and budget”, to an extensive range of player protection tools and support. 
KnowYourMax has since added several “Maxisms” phrases to accompany the initial strapline, as above, while the introductory campaign video has been viewed more than four million times, with an estimated 126 million total engagement impressions, according to Aristocrat.
KnowYourMax.com has been introduced as part of the American Gaming Association’s Responsible Gaming Education Month (RGEM), which takes place each September to promote gaming literacy and consumer education. 
“Play Smart from the Start” is the theme for 2025 and fits perfectly with the ethos of Know Your Max.
Aristocrat, the slot game designer, manufacturer, and distributor, has recently extended its collaboration with the NFL through its Product Madness subsidiary to launch NFL Super Bowl Slots for social casino.
Image credit: Aristocrat Gaming
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