Australia’s ruling Labor Party backs gambling reforms

Australia’s leading party, Labor, has agreed to strengthen gambling regulation. At its national conference, delegates backed measures to expand the powers of gambling regulators and explore further action to prevent young people from being exposed to online gambling.

The commitment was approved after delegates supported amendments calling for greater oversight of gambling regulators and additional measures to prevent gambling-related content from being promoted through social media platforms.

The party said it would "strengthen the powers of the relevant national regulators, who will report to parliament annually on their actions" and explore ways to prevent platforms from offering embedded inducements that "incentivise and normalise gambling" among children and young people.

The federal government introduced gambling reforms to parliament earlier this month, which would limit the number of gambling advertisements on television and radio, including a ban during live sport.

However, federal Labor has stopped short of supporting a complete ban on gambling advertising, as recommended by late MP Peta Murphy’s parliamentary inquiry.

Labor’s updated platform includes commitments to strengthen enforcement, expand financial counselling services and use public education campaigns to address gambling harm.

The measures will guide the party’s policy direction, although the timing and implementation will be determined by the parliamentary team.

Earlier this month, Australia's peak wagering industry body welcomed a Senate Inquiry into the Federal Government's proposed gambling advertising reforms, arguing the legislation should undergo further scrutiny before becoming law.

Responsible Wagering Australia (RWA) believes several provisions in the Interactive Gambling Amendment (Gambling Reform) Bill 2026 extend beyond the Government's intended policy objectives and could create practical challenges for licensed wagering operators.