Australia’s federal government is reportedly revisiting previously shelved plans to implement sweeping new gambling advertising reforms that would include limits on such advertising during primetime television and a total ban during sporting events and children’s TV times.
According to a report by racing industry media outlet The Strait, discussions between Communications Minister Anika Wells and key industry stakeholders have intensified in recent weeks with the government now keen to revisit an agenda item it had put on hold before the election in May of this year.
Advertising reform was a central tenant of the 31 recommendations to emerge from a 2023 parliamentary inquiry into online gambling and its impacts on those experiencing gambling harm. The resulting report, titled “You win some, you lose more”, specifically called for a complete ban on all forms of advertising for online gambling, to be phased in over three years, as well as proposing establishment of a national gambling regulator to oversee all licensing and regulation nationwide.
The Strait claims that although government still intends to impose heavy restrictions around television advertising, a complete ban is unlikely – instead limiting broadcasters to two gambling-related ads per hour between 6am and 10pm with total bans around sports events and children’s TV times.
Calls for a blanket ban have been tempered by concerns that this would merely open the door for illegal operators to step into the void.
The media report also indicates that the government has recognized potential sticking points, with 21 of the 31 recommendations contained in “You win some, you lose more” requiring consultation and concessions from state and territory governments. Instead, The Strait suggests that Wells and her team are adopting a more pragmatic approach through which they will bring stakeholders together to formulate a mutual plan before moving forward.
Reform is expected to be phased in from early 2026.
