Gambling ad regulations in Australia. Final decision still pending
Despite widespread speculation, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has confirmed that the government is still considering its approach to reforming gambling advertising laws. No final decision has been reached, and consultations with stakeholders remain ongoing.
Reforms still under discussion
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese recently clarified that the government has not yet made a final decision regarding gambling advertising reforms. This follows media reports suggesting that an immediate ban on online gambling ads was imminent.
Albanese emphasized the ongoing nature of the discussions, stating, “We have not come to a conclusion, we’re in discussions. I’ve seen reports that allege that they know what the position is. Well, they don’t. What we’ve been doing is having a consultation to make sure that we get the reforms right.”
Albanese acknowledged the growing issue of problem gambling and reiterated the government’s commitment to addressing it. “We know that problem gambling is an issue, and we want to deal with those issues in a constructive way,” he said.
The Prime Minister highlighted actions already taken during his administration’s first two years, such as the establishment of a national self-exclusion register and adjustments to credit card use for gambling transactions.
The government is actively engaging with various groups, including media companies, sports organizations, and anti-gambling advocates, to ensure the reforms are effective and balanced.
“We’re engaging constructively. That’s what good governments do. They reach out and engage constructively,” Albanese remarked, emphasizing the importance of collaboration in addressing the complexities of gambling regulation.
No plans for a national regulator
One significant point of contention is the establishment of a national gambling regulator, a recommendation made in the 2023 Murphy Report. However, the Albanese government has ruled out this option for now.
Social Services Minister Amanda Rishworth explained that creating such a body would require state and territory governments to relinquish their regulatory powers, something that “is not in the discussions” at this stage. Instead, the focus is on coordinating a unified approach to online gaming regulation with the states and territories.
Public pressure to introduce stricter gambling regulations has been mounting, with high-profile Australians urging the government to take action. In an open letter, signed by former Prime Ministers John Howard and Malcolm Turnbull, along with 60 other prominent figures, there was a call for the government to implement a blanket ban on gambling advertising.
The letter pushed for the adoption of recommendations made by Labor MP Peta Murphy, who advocated for a phased ban over three years as a solution to curb problem gambling.
