Gaming and Liquor Regulation Minister Marlene Kairouz called for submissions for public consultation on proposed restrictions on wagering advertising last Sunday.

The proposed reforms would ban sports betting ads in locations that are near areas commonly frequented by children, such as schools, as well as areas that are “unavoidable” in public due to daily activities, such as on public transport.

The reforms would also ban ads that undermine the promotion of responsible gambling, such as an ad placed next to a gambling counselling service.

The move is part of a push to limit the normalisation of sports betting, which can begin at a young age.

Wagering-related problem gambling costs Victorians between $1.5 billion and $2.8 billion per year.

The normalisation of gambling on sport increases the likelihood of people gambling at risky levels, with children, adolescents and existing problem gamblers the most at risk.

Public health physician Nathan Grills praised the action, but urged the government to push for more stringent measures on ad placement.

Dr Grills, who works at the NOSSAL Institute for Global Health, University of Melbourne, said he would also like to see sport betting ads banned from other highly frequented locations such as local sporting clubs and major sporting venues.

“It’s a small step in the right direction,” he said.

“In the past the government has had an addiction to gambling revenue. 

“It’s a really important step to de-normalising gambling (because) advertising plays a massive role in normalising gambling.”

“I would challenge the government to go further on that, where day-to-day also includes sporting clubs.

“We’re fooling ourselves if we think kids are only getting influenced on the way to schools.”

Dr Grills also said he would like to see a reduction in gambling advertising at health centres.

“Gambling does not promote public health, it impacts it,” he said.

“Advertising is a dangerous product which damages the health and well being of kids.”

 Marlene Kairouz urged the federal government to join the front on a crackdown on sports betting ads.

“The Turnbull government should follow our lead – crackdown on wagering ads at a national level, to protect the most vulnerable in our community,” she said.

“Gambling is not an integral part of sport. Kids should be talking about their favourite sporting teams, not the odds of that team winning.”