Gambling ads to go across NSW ‘vast’ public transport network

Gambling ads on trains, buses, light rail and ferry terminals across New South Wales will soon be a thing of the past, with new legislation coming into effect over the next 12 months.

Transport NSW operates one of the largest portfolios of advertising assets in Australia, including 798 advertising boards at Sydney train stations, 49 road-facing digital billboards, adverts on up to 3,711 urban buses, 76 trams, and across the Tangara train fleet.

NSW government said it would also work with private bus stop owners, retail outlets and nearby private properties to see how their advertising can align with the gambling advertising ban. The ban extends to all casino, lottery, and online betting advertising.

In a statement, Minister for Transport Jo Haylen said transport advertising suppliers must ensure that all advertising material complies with applicable laws, accepted industry standards and codes of conduct established by the Australian Association of National Advertisers.

Additional rules that apply to Transport’s contract holders include a ban on political advertising, which applies equally to all political parties.

“Gambling advertising has been a common sight on our public transport for a couple of years now, and I’m pleased our government is taking action to remove it,” Haylen said.

“Parents are rightly worried about the impact it has on their kids, so it’s not something that we think that needs to be on our transport network.”

Haylen described Transport’s advertising contracts as “vast” and said it would take up to 12 months to phase out gambling ads on some 3,500 buses and close to 800 advertising assets at train stations, light rail and trains.

“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.”

The move follows a number of reforms under the Chris Minns Labor government from banning gambling signage or advertising on ATM and EFTPOS terminals, banning all external gambling signage in venues, trialing cashless gaming in pubs and clubs and committing $100 million to harm minimisation, research, treatment, services and reform.