The number of TV gambling ads will be capped and all radio broadcasts promoting a punt will be banned during school pick-up and drop-off after a scathing review into gambling harm in Australia, Anthony Albanese has revealed.
Speaking before the National Press Club in Canberra on Thursday, Mr Albanese said the reforms were “most significant that has ever been implemented”.
“We think we’ve got the balance right,” he said.
“To be clear, this is the most significant reform on gambling that has ever been implemented, following the previously most significant reform that gambling had ever had, that we did in our first term.”
Under the reforms, the number of TV gambling agency ads will be capped to a maximum of three per hour between 6am and 8.30pm.
All gambling ads will also be banned during school pick-up and drop-off times.
“We will ban cross-promotion content that mixes commentary with odds, and advertising on jerseys and jumpers and in stadiums,” Mr Albanese said in his address.
“And we will ban online advertising unless the user is verified as being over 18 and has the ability to opt out.
“Just as importantly, we will block illegal offshore gaming sites and ban online Keno by-products, the so-called pocket pokies … and we will keep building on the success of Betstop, promoting and strengthening a program that is changing lives.”
The Albanese government had faced continued pressure from the cross bench over the long-awaited reform.
In 2023, late Labor MP Peta Murphy handed down her report on gambling harm – a scathing review that found Australians lost about $31.5bn annually, the highest per-capita loss in the world, and called for a phased ban on online gambling advertising within three years.
That was more than 1000 days ago.
Asked on Thursday whether he was confident the reforms would help the current generation also, Mr Albanese said: “Well, more ads can’t be played”.
“From the average, when we were talking about a couple of years ago, in 2024, there were eight,” he said.
“So, three is obviously cutting it by more than half.”
‘Break the connection’
In a statement, Sports Minister Anika Wells said the reforms would “break the connection between wagering and sport, minimise children’s exposure to wagering advertising and reduce its saturation across the internet, radio and TV channels”.
“From 1 January next year Australians will be able to sit down with their families and cheer on their favourite team without being bombarded by gambling advertising,” Ms Wells said.
“Australian parents, families and sports fans have been calling for action, and we thank all those involved for their continued engagement and advocacy as we’ve worked continuously to get the settings balanced and right.”
Social Services Minister Tanya Plibersek said gambling had been recognised as a contributing factor in domestic violence.
“Young men are particularly vulnerable to gambling harm,” she said.
“These reforms will put the welfare of young Australians first and play a critical role to help prevent family and domestic violence.”
Ms Plibersek said the reforms would ensure “a new generation of kids don’t grow up thinking having a punt is a vital part of enjoying sport”.
