South Australia launches campaign for problem gambling

2013-12-18

Reading time 1:33 min

(Australia).- The South Australian government has launched a campaign called "NO GAME”, in which the concepts of problem gambling and casual gaming are linked as though there's a causal relationship between them. Australia's Interactive Games and Entertainment Association (iGEA) has responded that the portrayal of gambling, by the poster in particular, is inaccurate and unsubstantiated.

"Alongside the rapid growth in smartphones, tablets and video games that link to the internet, there has been an explosion in downloadable games," www.Nogame.com.au explains. "There is no doubt these new technologies bring benefits, but as parents, carers and educators we are all aware of the need to protect children and teenagers from the risks that come with it."

The online portion of the campaign is supported by real-world posters, which Player Attack say are on display in Adelaide. "An emerging area of serious concern is games that simulate gambling," nogame.com.au continues - presumably in an effort to explain the purported link between gaming and gambling.

"Increasingly, these games can be played on social media sites, video games that link to the internet and mobile applications. It’s a growing business in a largely unregulated market."

Australia's Interactive Games and Entertainment Association (iGEA) respond to NO GAME, stating that the campaign "fails to comply with the Marketing Communications and Advertising Guidelines published in March 2013 by the South Australian Government" in that representations made by the poster in particular are inaccurate and unsubstantiated.

Additionally, the iGEA go on to point out that the research quoted by nogame.com.au clearly states that “This study does not suggest that simulated gambling precedes or follows monetary gambling" and that, as a result, the billboard fails to meet the standards set down by the previously referred to Marketing Communications and Advertising Guidelines on the grounds that “The statement on the Billboard is highly inaccurate and the advertisement fails to source any relevant data. Furthermore, the existing research simply does not substantiate the statement made on the Billboard."

The iGEA concluded by requesting the immediate removal of all copies of the image as displayed in billboard form, and a written statement from the South Australian government that rectifies the breaches as identified by the iGEA.

They also requested reassurance that such breaches won't occur again, and a response by the close of business on Friday, December 20th.