The Australian parliament has officially passed its Interactive Gambling Amendment (Gambling Reform) Bill 2026, introducing a raft of reforms aimed at restricting how and when gambling advertising can be delivered.
Passage of the bill follows months of debate and a senate inquiry into whether the federal government’s proposed reforms were strong enough, particularly given that a 2023 inquiry had called for a complete ban on gambling advertising.
Instead, the Gambling Reform Bill bans wagering advertising during live coverage of sporting events on broadcast and online content services, with the restrictions commencing 15 minutes before and ending five minutes after a live sporting event between 5am and 8.30pm.
It also bans wagering advertising in sports venues and on players’ and officials’ uniforms; bans the use of athletes, celebrities or influencers to promote wagering; restricts wagering advertising on TV to no more than three ads each hour between 5am and 8.30pm, bans wagering ads on the radio during school drop-off and pick‑up times; and bans the broadcasting of promoting sporting odds.
Advertising wagering via online platforms will only be allowed if users have a logged in account, are over 18 and have the option to opt out of such advertising.
Other reforms include establishing a Wagering Advertising Opt-out Register as a one-stop shop for people to opt out across all their services; allowing banks and payment systems to block transactions to illegal gambling operators and giving the Australian Communications and Media Authority more powers to act faster to block these websites; banning online keno and foreign-matched lotteries; and banning the direct marketing of inducements for 14 days after signing up with a wagering company, three months after a person deregisters from BetStop, and to all customers identified as at risk of gambling-related harm.
Also passed this week was the National Self-Exclusion Register (Cost Recovery Levy) Bill 2026 and the Interactive Gambling (Cost Recovery Levy) Bill 2026, which ensure the costs associated with the opt-out register, new restrictions on inducements and promotion of BetStop can be recovered from gambling companies.
Minister for Communications, Anika Wells, said, “The Albanese Government is delivering the strongest ever laws to tackle gambling harm as part of a comprehensive and balanced package.
“These laws deliver meaningful protections for Australians experiencing gambling-related harm, including relief from the bombardment of wagering advertisements in sport and strong restrictions on predatory inducements.
“We are also cracking down on illegal gambling operators and other dodgy services that divert business from genuine lotteries and charities.
“We have worked across Parliament to deliver a balanced, practical and enforceable package of gambling reforms – the most significant in Australia’s history.”
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