The Australian Senate's Environment and Communications Legislation Committee has given the green light to the government's proposed reforms for online gambling. In a report released recently, the committee endorsed two significant bills designed to address gambling-related harms while urging amendments to enhance certain provisions.
The government's reform initiative includes the Interactive Gambling Amendment (Gambling Reform) Bill 2026, which seeks to modify the Interactive Gambling Act 2001, and the National Self-exclusion Register (Cost Recovery Levy) Amendment Bill 2026. The first bill centers on imposing tighter controls on online gambling advertising, platform responsibilities, and enforcement mechanisms, while the second aims to establish funding for a national BetStop awareness campaign from the wagering industry.
An extensive inquiry into these reforms attracted 97 submissions showcasing insights from public health experts, survivors of gambling harms, broadcasters, wagering industry representatives, regulators, and state officials.
This push for reform traces back to 2023 when the late MP Peta Murphy proposed an amendment to the Interactive Gambling Act 2001 that included a ban on gambling advertising. The amendment outlined a plan to prohibit the broadcast, datacast, and publication of licensed interactive wagering services and proposed 31 recommendations for reform.
Although the Interactive Gambling Amendment (Gambling Reform) Bill 2026 doesn’t include a comprehensive ban on gambling advertising, it introduces several strict harm-reduction measures. These measures feature restrictions on advertising – limiting content to three ads per hour from 6:00 AM to 8:30 PM, banning wagering advertisements during live sports events, restricting the use of wagering logos in venues, and prohibiting ads during school commuting hours.
There are also provisions requiring online content providers to implement appropriate steps to ensure that individuals under 18 cannot access wagering ads unless users have opted out. The bill plans to apply a “triple-lock” defense, incorporating log-in mechanisms, age assurance, and opt-out options. Additionally, it aims to enhance powers for the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) to block unlicensed offshore gambling sites. Measures to improve BetStop and broaden enforcement powers in relation to self-exclusion are also in the works.
The legislation will restrict certain online keno-type products and foreign-matched lotteries that do not conform to regulated frameworks, while banks will be authorized to block payments to illegal online gambling operators.
Despite its overall support, the committee raised concerns during public hearings. For instance, while advertisements will face time-window restrictions, many children continue to watch live sports past the designated watershed, potentially exposing them to wagering ads allowed post-8:30 PM. Moreover, the bill’s approach to allow online platforms to serve wagering ads to users by default has been deemed ineffective, based on studies showing low rates of users changing default settings. This could continue to impact vulnerable populations, including minors and recovering addicts.
Moreover, the committee expressed concern over the bill’s plans to allow current sponsorship agreements to continue with phased transitions, which may last until 2031, raising alarms among public health advocates about prolonged exposure to gambling advertising.
While the recommendations of the 2023 Murphy Inquiry included a blanket ban on inducements like sign-up bonuses, the current legislation does not enforce this prohibition. Witnesses have shared how such promotions can contribute to gambling addiction.
Uncertainties were noted regarding key definitions within the legislation and the reliance on ambiguous standards that are subject to ACMA's secondary guidance, lacking parliamentary oversight. The committee also highlighted the tight deadline of January 1, 2027, for the bill's rollout, given the associated technical challenges.
Concerns have also been voiced that the stringent regulations may drive consumers toward unregulated offshore gambling sites. Although the bill incorporates enhanced enforcement mechanisms to manage this risk, some stakeholders believe that only a complete ban on advertising could effectively curb demand.
Responses to the advertising ban proposal have varied, with traditional lottery operators supporting restrictions that differentiate these products, while others, including the Northern Territory government, argue such measures could jeopardize legitimate businesses.
In October 2024, the Green Party introduced a blanket ban on gambling advertisements to the Senate, with proponents asserting that such a ban has received consistent recommendations from experts and enjoys broad public support.
The committee has recommended that additional resources be allocated to ensure the effective implementation of the authority's new powers. Additionally, it called for amendments to enhance advertising restrictions, revise the opt-out model to possibly switch to opt-in, clarify uncertain draft provisions, shorten transitional periods, and implement an immediate ban on gambling inducements.
On Tuesday, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed that the bill would proceed to a third reading after receiving agreement from both Labour and Coalition parties in Parliament. He characterized the bill as “the most significant gambling advertising reform by any Australian government ever,” emphasizing its potential to bolster protections for at-risk individuals while allowing those who enjoy betting to do so.
However, the legislation has faced backlash from Responsible Wagering Australia (RWA), which expressed disappointment, claiming the reforms could lead players toward illegal offshore gambling syndicates. RWA CEO Kai Cantwell criticized the opt-out advertising system, arguing it undermines measures like BetStop and highlighted the improbability of implementing a comprehensive global opt-out system within four months, especially when simpler initiatives like BetStop took years to finalize.
The new legislation is set to take effect on January 1, 2027.
