Labour is expected to introduce its long-awaited gambling advertising legislation in Parliament this week, according to rumours circulating.
Speaking to local media, the Minister for Communications, Anika Wells, said the initial draft bill will not be significantly changed. She further noted that the Government wishes to bring in the new laws by the end of the year.
Wells noted: “There are some revisions after the exposure draft and the consultation process, and I’ll continue to work with stakeholders and parliamentarians on these reforms.
“When it comes to social policy, the pen is never down. But this is a big and meaningful reform package.”
Wells further added that the Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, must stick with his initial reform plans, for the new law to be legislated ‘’as quickly as possible.’’
The new regulations are expected to include a cap of three gambling ads per hour during daytime TV and a ban on ads during live sports events, while stadium and jersey branding is set to be phased out. Lawmakers also called for restrictions on so-called “pocket pokies” gaming applications.
Several reform advocates argue that proposed restrictions do not go far enough to reduce gambling harm.
The Albanese Government is under growing pressure to speed up and expand its gambling reforms, following a 2023 parliamentary inquiry led by the late Labour MP Peta Murphy. The inquiry made 31 recommendations, including a phased ban on gambling advertising.
As of now, years later, multiple recommendations remain unimplemented, drawing criticism from crossbench MPs and gambling harm advocates.
The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) recently found more than 500 breaches of the country’s BetStop national self-exclusion system by Entain, the operator behind Ladbrokes and Neds
