The Australian Medical Association calls for stronger safeguards in gambling reform bill
The AMA says stronger advertising restrictions, enforcement powers and protections for self-excluded consumers are needed.
Australia.- The Australian Medical Association (AMA) has called for changes to Australia’s proposed gambling reforms. In a submission to the Senate Standing Committee on Environment and Communications, the AMA argues that the Interactive Gambling Amendment (Gambling Reform) Bill 2026 should provide stronger protections.
While the body supports the intent of the reforms and welcomed proposed changes to BetStop, action against illegal gambling and restrictions on some online lottery products, it argued that the legislation remains too limited in several areas. The association said advertising would remain widely visible across social media, online content and sports-related environments, and it called for stronger protections for children and young people.
The AMA questioned the Bill’s reliance on platform-based age assurance to protect minors, arguing that the measures could be bypassed. It called for broader protections to reduce exposure to gambling advertising across digital environments.
The association also called for a complete end to gambling sponsorship agreements with sports clubs and sporting venues and it said exemptions that would allow gambling advertising during overnight live sporting events to be removed, both during scheduled and unscheduled breaks. It argued that major sporting events broadcast outside the proposed advertising restrictions could still expose children and young people to gambling marketing.
