The Federal Government has announced a major overhaul of Australia’s gambling regulations, introducing sweeping reforms aimed at reducing gambling-related harm across the community.
Under the new measures, restrictions will be placed on gambling advertisements across television, radio, and online platforms. Celebrity and sports player endorsements will be banned, and gambling advertising will be removed from sports venues and player uniforms. The reforms are scheduled to take effect from January 1, 2027.
The announcement follows the 2023 parliamentary inquiry into online gambling, chaired by the late Peta Murphy MP, which called for a phased ban on gambling advertising and sponsorship, a duty of care for wagering operators, and a national strategy to prevent and reduce gambling harms.
Professor Dan Lubman, Executive Clinical Director of Turning Point and Director of the Monash Addiction Research Centre, welcomed the reforms, describing them as a significant step toward recognising gambling harm as a major public health issue.
“These measures, including stronger restrictions on gambling advertising and steps to reduce exposure to high-risk online betting environments, signal a meaningful shift in how we approach this issue,” Professor Lubman said.
“For too long, gambling has been framed as an issue of personal responsibility. But harm is shaped by the environments we create and the way gambling is normalised across our communities, particularly for young people.”
He noted that three out of four Australian children see betting as a normal part of sport, with early exposure linked to higher rates of gambling harm in adulthood.
“Reducing children’s exposure to gambling promotion is both evidence-based and long overdue,” he said. “However, regulation alone is not enough. We need investment in early intervention, treatment, and support services that people can access before they reach crisis point.”
Professor Lubman said he regularly sees the devastating impact of gambling harm on individuals and families, often when financial stress, relationship breakdown, and mental health challenges have already taken hold.
The government is expected to release its full response to the Murphy Inquiry when parliament returns on May12.
Support is available for anyone concerned about their own or someone else’s gambling. Gambling Help Online offers 24/7 assistance via its helpline on 1800 858 858.
