The gambling reform debate intensifies in Australia over gambling advertising and youth protection.
According to The Guardian, opponents of a proposed ban on gambling advertisements are advocating for the federal government to consider age verification methods to prevent minors from accessing sports betting content.
Earlier this month, the government announced plans to restrict young children’s access to social media through age verification technology. Sources within the gambling industry suggest that similar technology, along with frequency caps on online advertisements, could be effective for betting content.
As advocates against gambling advertisements and the industry await the government’s decision on a potential ban—likely after the AFL and NRL finals—frustration is growing over the delay.
Gambling reform advocate Tim Costello voiced concerns that the current government might miss a crucial opportunity for sector reform, failing to address why Australia experiences the highest gambling losses in the world while merely making minor adjustments to appease sporting codes and media outlets.
A study from the Australian Gambling Research Centre found that approximately one-third of young adults who gambled in the past year began betting before turning 18, and those who start young experience more severe gambling issues later in life.
A spokesperson for Communications Minister Michelle Rowland stated that the government continues to engage with stakeholders but refrained from commenting on media reports or speculation. The government is carefully considering all 31 recommendations from the online gambling inquiry’s final report and will release a comprehensive response in due course.
Kai Cantwell, CEO of Responsible Wagering Australia—representing companies like bet365, Sportsbet, and Pointsbet—has previously advocated for sensible, evidence-based alternatives such as opt-out provisions and age verification requirements. He emphasized the importance of protecting children and vulnerable individuals from gambling advertisements while still supporting sports and broadcasters reliant on this funding.
Striking a balance is crucial to prevent Australians from turning to illegal offshore providers, which offer no customer protections and evade taxes that licensed operators must pay.
Both sides of the debate are uncertain about when the government will announce its final proposal, with expectations of news in early October during the next federal parliamentary session. Many sources have expressed frustration over the lack of clarity. On Tuesday, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese questioned whether a complete ban on advertisements would effectively solve the problem, stating that the government is examining a range of options.
The Prime Minister also indicated plans to tighten the rules surrounding the self-exclusion scheme, BetStop, after reports emerged of problem gamblers exploiting loopholes to continue betting despite registering for the program. Rowland’s office announced that a statutory review of BetStop would soon commence to assess its effectiveness.
Meanwhile, earlier this week, as reported by AGB, the Australian government is contemplating significant restrictions on gambling advertising, which could include a complete ban on digital ads and a prohibition on television commercials for one hour before and after sports broadcasts.
This initiative, set to be implemented in 2025, would also prevent sports commentators from discussing betting odds during games.
According to Sky News political editor Andrew Clennell, the proposed regulations would limit gambling ads to two per hour outside the restricted periods and impose a blackout during children’s programming.
