Australia has announced new restrictions on gambling advertising, limiting when and where ads can appear and who can feature in them, while stopping short of implementing a full ban despite support from some political groups and advocacy organisations.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the measures aim to balance adult choice with reducing children’s exposure to betting promotions, following years of public pressure and a parliamentary inquiry that had recommended stricter action.
New Rules On Advertising And Access
Under the reforms, which take effect from January 1, television gambling advertisements will be capped at three per hour between 6am and 8:30pm and prohibited entirely during live sports broadcasts within those hours.
Radio advertising will be banned during school drop-off and pick-up times. Online gambling advertisements will only be permitted for logged-in users over the age of 18, with an option to opt out.
The rules also prohibit celebrities and athletes from appearing in gambling promotions and ban gambling advertising in sports venues as well as on player and official uniforms.
The government will also increase enforcement against illegal offshore betting platforms and restrict additional forms of online gambling, including Keno and services designed to replicate poker machines.
Context And International Comparisons
Australians lose more money to gambling per capita than any other population globally. Other countries, including Italy, Belgium, and Spain, have implemented full or near-total bans on gambling advertising.
A parliamentary inquiry in Australia had recommended similar measures more than 1,000 days ago.
Industry Response And Concerns
The reforms have drawn criticism from industry groups. Responsible Wagering Australia said the measures are excessive and could set broader regulatory precedents across other sectors. Chief executive Kai Cantwell said the changes could affect an industry supporting approximately 30,000 jobs and contributing funding to sports and media.
Sportsbet said the restrictions could lead to unintended consequences, including increased use of offshore platforms that are not subject to the same rules.
Criticism From Advocacy And Health Groups
Advocacy organisations and health bodies have also raised concerns that the reforms do not go far enough. Tim Costello of the Alliance for Gambling Reform said partial restrictions still allow significant exposure to gambling advertising.
Australian Medical Association vice-president Julian Rait said that without a comprehensive ban, Australians, particularly children, would continue to encounter gambling promotions.
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