Australia’s gambling advertising bill could face delays as Coalition and Greens seek review
The government may need to negotiate changes after the parties agreed to refer the proposed reforms to a parliamentary inquiry.
Australia.- The Australian government’s proposed gambling advertising reforms could face delays after the Coalition and the Greens seek a parliamentary inquiry into the legislation before it advances. The bill in its current form includes limits on gambling advertising across television, radio, online platforms and sport, but the government needs the support of either the Coalition or the Greens in the Senate to approve the proposal.
The proposed legislation would cap television gambling advertisements at three per hour, phase out gambling branding in stadiums and on sports jerseys, prohibit athletes from promoting wagering products and introduce an opt-in model for online gambling advertising. It would also ban online keno and offshore lottery products.
However, both the Coalition and the Greens argue that the reforms should be examined further. The Greens have criticised the package for falling short of the recommendations made in the 2023 You Win Some, You Lose More inquiry. Led by the late Labour MP Peta Murphy, that called for a comprehensive ban on gambling advertising and the creation of a national gambling regulator.
Coalition communications spokeswoman Sarah Henderson said the opposition wanted to ensure the legislation delivers “meaningful and workable reform”.
The proposed reforms are intended to take effect on January 1, 2027, although any additional parliamentary scrutiny could affect that timeline. Communications Minister Anika Wells argued that the proposed gambling advertising reforms have already been debated extensively over the past three years and said the government remains focused on passing the legislation and implementing the new rules as planned.
