The ACT Greens want gambling advertisements banned at Canberra Stadium to limit an industry that "has successfully brainwashed our kids", and have offered to begin fresh negotiations with Labor on reducing gambling harm.
Rebecca Vassarotti, the party's gambling harm spokeswoman, said strict restrictions should also be introduced to block online gambling advertisements from being displayed in Canberra during major sports fixtures in the ACT and the territory government should work harder to push for more restrictive national advertising rules.
"By relentlessly inundating 12-to-17-year-olds with constant betting promotions during family-friendly match times, the gambling industry has successfully brainwashed our kids, and as a parent, I know our community has had enough," Ms Vassarotti said.
"Big corporations have conditioned a new generation to believe that you cannot love sport without placing a punt. But sport should be about community, about connection with the outdoors, about teamwork and mateship - not about making a quick buck."
A Legislative Assembly inquiry that examined male suicide rates in June recommended a full gambling advertising ban because "reducing the promotion and accessibility of gambling environments can play an important role in lowering suicide risk among men, particularly in young men".
Gaming Minister Marisa Paterson said many of the Greens' proposals related to areas regulated by the Commonwealth but the ACT was committed to progressing its significant gambling harm reduction agenda.
"We welcome the federal government's proposed legislation to restrict gambling advertising and will continue to work constructively to support its implementation. The proposed reforms include restrictions on gambling advertising at sporting venues," Dr Paterson said.
Dr Paterson said a gambling harm prevention and mitigation fund had been expanded to allow access for research organisations and expert advocacy groups, meaning the government would have stronger advice on practical harm-minimisation measures.
"We also recognise the growing risks associated with online gambling and remain committed to working with the federal government on measures that reduce harm and strengthen protections for vulnerable people," she said.
Ms Vassarotti said the ACT too often suffered from a lack of imagination and belief that it could legislate to tackle big issues.
"But the reality is, we have the levers, we have the power, all we need is a bit of collaboration and old-fashioned political will," she said.
"That's why the Greens are putting forward a decisive list of recommendations for the territory government to prove it's actually serious about gambling reform. The reality is, we are halfway through this Assembly term, and so far, this government has announced exactly zero new reforms to reduce gambling harm."
A May audit found no gambling advertising at ACT government venues during Raiders and Brumbies games, but UniBet was featured on LED perimeter field-of-play and video board graphics at a GWS Giants game.
No direct gambling advertising contracts are in place at ACT government venues but sports teams that hire the venues can have contracts, including on uniforms and screen advertisements.
Ms Vassarotti said federal laws that would delay gambling ads until after 8.30pm did absolutely nothing to protect children or families and would simply safeguard the gambling industry's massive profits.
"Last term, the Greens fought tooth and nail for poker machine reforms to stop Canberrans from being bled dry by the pervasive tactics of clubs," she said.
"But since then, it has become clear the government had a different point of view. But in the urgent interest of our community, the Greens are willing to wipe the slate clean. Today, we are offering to negotiate in good faith with the government on fresh policy reforms that they can actually get behind to protect our community."
Dr Paterson said the government was focused on its significant gambling harm reduction agenda.
"At the 2024 election, we committed to introducing mandatory cashless gaming across all clubs in the ACT. We are also committed to long-term reduction in gaming machines in the ACT and a modernised self-exclusion system," she said.
"Work is underway to deliver these reforms before the end of the current term."
