The Senate's Environment and Communications Legislation Committee has endorsed the Australian government's proposed reforms aimed at overhauling online gambling laws. In its recently published report, the committee recommended the approval of two significant bills, suggesting amendments to enhance crucial provisions designed to mitigate gambling-related harms.
The government's reform initiative is encapsulated in two key pieces of legislation: the Interactive Gambling Amendment (Gambling Reform) Bill 2026, which revises the Interactive Gambling Act 2001, and the National Self-exclusion Register (Cost Recovery Levy) Amendment Bill 2026. The former aims to tighten regulations on online gambling advertising, clarify platform responsibilities, and strengthen enforcement powers. Meanwhile, the latter seeks to fund a national awareness campaign around self-exclusion from gambling through cost-recovery mechanisms from the wagering sector.
The joint inquiry into these reforms garnered 97 submissions, featuring inputs from public health experts, gambling harm survivors, industry representatives, regulators, and state government officials.
In 2023, the late MP Peta Murphy introduced an amendment to the Interactive Gambling Act 2001 to ban gambling advertising. This proposal highlighted the need for restrictions on broadcasting licensed interactive wagering services and outlined 31 recommendations for reform. While the new Interactive Gambling Amendment (Gambling Reform) Bill 2026 addresses these concerns, it stops short of instituting a sweeping ban on gambling ads, opting instead for various stringent harm-reduction measures.
These measures include capping gambling advertisements to three per hour between 6:00 AM and 8:30 PM and banning them during specific live sporting events. Additionally, the use of wagering logos in venues and by influencers will be limited, and advertising during school commuting hours will not be permitted.
To prevent underage access to wagering ads, online content providers must now take "reasonable steps" for age verification. This introduces a "triple-lock" defense that includes a login process, age assurance, and an opt-out mechanism. The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) will also gain extended powers to block unlicensed offshore gambling sites.
Moreover, revisions to the self-exclusion system will enhance penalties for violations and broaden enforcement capabilities. Products like online keno and foreign-matched lotteries, which don't fit within the traditional regulated framework, will be banned, and banks will have the authority to block payments to illegal gambling operators.
The committee, while largely in support, expressed concerns about several critical issues raised during the inquiry. For instance, despite advertisement time restrictions, the committee noted that many children still watch live sports during post-8:30 PM breaks, exposing them to gambling advertisements. Another point of contention is that the current legislation allows platforms to display wagering ads by default, requiring users to opt out—a method experts argue may expose vulnerable individuals, including minors and those recovering from gambling addiction.
Public health advocates warned that persistently allowing existing sponsorship arrangements, which could last until 2031, would continue harmful exposure to gambling ads. Industry stakeholders countered that these timelines were necessary due to existing contractual commitments.
In terms of promotional offers, the new bill does not follow the 2023 Murphy Inquiry’s suggestion to ban inducements like sign-up bonuses, which witnesses argued could exacerbate gambling addiction. Technology groups mentioned ambiguities in crucial definitions within the bill and noted the reliance on the ACMA’s guidance without parliamentary oversight. Concerns about the tight timeline for implementation on 1 January 2027 were also voiced, considering the technical challenges that need addressing.
Some industry players fear that stricter regulations on licensed providers might push consumers to unregulated offshore markets. Although the bill includes tools to curb this risk, some advocates suggest only a complete ban on gambling advertising could adequately address demand.
Responses to the proposed ban on gambling ads varied across the industry, with traditional lottery operators and some state governments in favor of restrictions; contrasting opinions emerged from others, like the Northern Territory government, which warned that such measures might adversely affect legitimate businesses without clear evidence of increased risk.
In October 2024, the Green Party proposed a blanket ban on gambling ads in the Senate, emphasizing broad public support for such a measure.
The committee recommended providing resources to ensure the authority's new enforcement powers are effective. While it supported the bills, it called for amendments to tighten advertising restrictions and consider switching from an opt-out to an opt-in model for online gambling ads. Furthermore, it suggested clarifying ambiguous provisions, reducing transitional periods for existing sponsorships, and immediately banning gambling inducements.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced in Parliament that the bill would proceed to a third reading after receiving approval from both Labour and Coalition parties. He termed the reform package "the most significant gambling advertising reform by any Australian government ever," asserting that it would enhance protections for those most vulnerable to gambling harm while allowing responsible gambling.
However, Responsible Wagering Australia (RWA) expressed disappointment, suggesting the reforms could inadvertently push players towards illegal offshore gambling sites. RWA's CEO Kai Cantwell critiques the opt-out model as a potential setback to measures like BetStop, raising concerns about the feasibility of developing a global opt-out system in a tight timeframe compared to the four years it took for BetStop to be implemented.
The new legislation is anticipated to take effect on 1 January 2027.
