Australian government proposes national opt-out register for gambling ads
The advertising opt-out register would be funded by a new levy on gambling operators in Australia.
Australia.- The Australian government has proposed a national opt-out register for gambling advertising. The proposal comes amid negotiations on a gambling reform bill that would introduce new restrictions on advertising. Communications Minister Anika Wells said the proposed register would provide a single way to opt out of gambling ads across online content services, instead of requiring users to change their preferences on each platform separately.
The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) would establish and administer the register and oversee compliance. The government has proposed a new levy on licensed wagering operators to cover the costs of implementing and enforcing the measures.
The proposal is intended as a compromise between the government’s current approach and calls from the Greens and other parties for a complete ban on online gambling advertising. As it stands, the gambling advertising bill would introduce restrictions on gambling inducements, including certain direct marketing and commission-based referral arrangements. Online gambling advertising would remain permitted under a proposed “triple lock” system requiring platforms to use login profiles, age verification and an advertising opt-out option.
Further details on how the register will operate have yet to be confirmed, including whether it would be ready for when the new gambling advertising rules are expected to take effect in January 2027.
