Speech written and presented by Nathan Buckley:

Thank you, Lisa, for your kind introduction.

Today, I stand before you not just as a sports enthusiast but as someone who has witnessed the profound transformation our beloved sport into high-stakes financial ventures. Over my thirty years immersed in the sports world, I've seen a dramatic shift in how we engage with sports, a shift that has turned joyful weekend gatherings into calculated betting arenas.

It began harmless enough, with a friend casually proposing a wager on a game. This innocent fun has turned into an overwhelming tide of gambling that threatens to erode the very fabric of our social interactions. When did watching a game with friends or family turn into a relentless pursuit to pad out bank accounts before the Monday morning grind in the office?

Let's reflect on a pivotal question: When did sports betting invade our lives even when we weren't at a game? It seems the advertising industry has embraced gambling with open arms, aggressively pushing it into every Australian home, making it a household staple as common as the evening news.

We are forced to face a critical juncture of how much we are willing to succumb to the invasive influence of gambling propaganda. Our entertainment landscape is inundated with over a million gambling advertisements each year. These ads permeate our living rooms and car radios, not just reaching the adult community but also whispering into the ears of our children, the minds of future generations.

In my time working with Gambler's Help, I've gained a sobering perspective on how desensitised we've become to gambling. This realisation I have fought to share amongst the AFL community to spread awareness for all of those engaged with sports betting.

Unbeknownst to many, Australia has become a global leader in gambling rates, a shameful honour, to say the least. We lag behind nations like Italy, Spain, and The Netherlands, countries that have taken bold steps to curtail the reach of gambling ads to protect their citizens. Some might argue that this relentless gambling culture enhances the excitement of the footy season. But they are profoundly mistaken. This isn't about enhancing our enjoyment of sports; it's about exploiting our love for them. The consequences are starkly painted in the stories of young Australians like Max Davies, a 19-year-old who confesses to losing significant sums of money to sports betting—a sentiment echoed by his peers, trapped in a cycle of bet and loss. A young Australian, only recently an adult is already affected by such a troublesome activity.

Reflect on this chilling statistic: the saturation of gambling advertisements in Victoria alone skyrocketed by 320% over eleven years, reaching a staggering $287.2 million by 2021. Sports betting agencies in Australia splurged over $287 million on advertising their products in the same year, marking a nearly $16 million increase from the previous year.

And the impact on our youth? Devastating. Children exposed to these advertisements describe betting as 'easy' or 'fun'. They are bombarded with messages that 'everyone wins' and are tantalised by incessant promotions and incentives.

This is the harsh reality we face—a reality where the innocence of sportsmanship is overshadowed by the looming shadow of financial gain at any cost. The very essence of sport, which should be about skill, competition, and enjoyment, has been overshadowed by a voracious gambling industry that feeds on vulnerability and hope.

As we stand here today, let us not be complacent. Let us challenge the norm and advocate for change. Let us protect the integrity of our sports and the welfare of our families. It's time to redefine what makes the footy season enjoyable—reclaiming it from the clutches of compulsive betting and restoring the joy of the game itself.

Our collective effort is required more than ever. We need to push for stringent regulations that shield our society from predatory advertising practices. We need educational programs that teach our youth about the real risks of gambling. Together, let's create an environment where sports can be purely about the thrill of the game and the community it builds, not the bets placed on it.

Together, let's champion this cause. Let's educate, legislate, and innovate to safeguard our cultural pastimes and ensure that sports remain a source of joy and community—not anxiety and loss. For the sake of our children, our families, and our future, the time for action is now.

Thank you.