Their bill to regulate gambling advertisements passed this week’s YMCA Youth Parliament in Melbourne with overwhelming support (42-10).

If adopted by the State, all forms of pro-gambling billboards would be banned in Victoria.

There would be restrictions on gambling advertisements during major sporting events and standard and prime time television, mandatory anti-gambling adverts and mandatory display of the Gambling Help Hotline number during every pro-gambling advertisement.

All computer or mobile phone applications and games containing pro-gambling content would be required to display a warning as well as the Gambling Help Hotline details when purchased.

An anti-gambling education system would also be rolled out in all schools.

Wangaratta High School’s Corinne Antonoff said although the passing of the bill was a step towards the eradication of gambling advertisements, there was more work to be done.

“I think it is very significant because it is such a serious issue and problem for the community,” she said.

“The problem is that it isn’t endangered, but we would like it to be.

“It affects so many families and so many people around Victoria and Australia.”

Corinne said the bill aimed to remove the positive connotations associated with gambling and reduce the impact it has on young people.

“We want to remove the subliminal messages that gambling is a good thing,” she said.

“We were inspired to do this because of sporting events like the Melbourne Cup and AFL Grand Final, where every single ad break is filled with gambling advertisements.”

Opponents of the bill argued that gambling is part of Australian culture and the proposed legislation would turn Victoria into a “nanny state”.

“We’ve already seen that it is a very acceptable thing to ban tobacco advertising,” Corinne said.

“Gambling can become an addiction, so it is something that needs to be addressed in a similar way to smoking addiction.”

The Federal Labor Party’s candidate for the seat of Indi was on hand for the vote.

Eric Kerr, 21, a Wodonga councillor, was once a youth parliamentarian himself.

He said a culture exists that trivialises gambling.

“The gambling industry has a lot to answer for; it has created a culture of addiction and poverty in some instances,” he said.

“The fact that people as young as this are taking note and taking action is a really good thing.”

The successful bill will be handed to the Minister for Gaming and Liquor Regulation Jane Garrett for consideration.