Australia’s gambling ad reforms pass Parliament
The Australian Parliament has approved the Government’s gambling advertising reforms, clearing the final legislative hurdle.
Australia.- The Interactive Gambling Amendment (Gambling Reform) Bill 2026 has passed both houses of Parliament after the Labor government reached an agreement with the Coalition on additional amendments. The move means the bill can progress to receive Royal Assent from the Governor-General, with the new rules expected to take effect on January 1, 2027.
The bill had been under consideration in the Senate since July. The Environment and Communications Legislation Committee recommended that the legislation pass, but the Greens and independent senator David Pocock opposed it. To secure enough support in the Senate, the Government agreed to changes, including extending the blackout period for gambling advertising around live sports broadcasts and proposing a national register that will allow people to opt out of wagering advertising online.
The Government said the reforms will substantially reduce wagering advertising across television, radio and online platforms. Among other measures, they will limit television advertising, restrict gambling ads around live sporting events and ban the use of athletes, celebrities and influencers to promote wagering.
The package now includes the creation of a Wagering Advertising Opt-out Register, which will allow Australians to opt out of gambling advertising across participating services. Another key change agreed during the parliamentary process was a ban on gambling companies paying staff commissions based on customer activity, as well as restrictions on direct marketing of inducements to customers considered at risk of gambling-related harm.
The Government has described the legislation as the strongest gambling reform package in Australia’s history. However, the measures have faced criticism from both sides of Parliament, with some arguing that they do not go far enough.
