PM announces gambling ad ban in stadiums, during school pick-up

By chief digital political correspondent Clare Armstrong and political reporter Maani Truu

In short:

Gambling ads would be partially restricted on television and radio, with opt-out rules for online promotions and a ban in stadiums and on jerseys under reforms announced by Labor.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese used a speech at the National Press Club to confirm the government will release its formal response to the You Win Some, You Lose More’ report by late Labor MP Peta Murphy.

What's next?

Harm minimisation advocates are already accusing the government of taking a watered-down approach to the report, which called for a total online gambling ad ban.

A partial ban on gambling advertising designed to protect children from exposure to harm has been unveiled by the prime minister as part of a package of reforms advocates have slammed as "tinkering around the edges".

The plan, unveiled by Anthony Albanese during a National Press Club address today, includes capping television gambling ads at three per hour between 6am and 8.30pm and a total ban on radio during school pick-up and drop-off times.

Gambling ads would also be banned on social media and streaming platforms unless users are logged in, over 18 and have the option to opt out, while advertising using celebrities or athletes, odds-style ads targeting sports fans, and ads in sports venues or on players' uniforms would be outlawed.

Mr Albanese described the reforms, announced more than three years after the landmark Murphy review into gambling advertising was handed down, as "the most significant reform on gambling that has ever been implemented".

"We are getting the balance right, letting adults have a punt if they want to, but making sure that our children don't see betting ads everywhere they look," Mr Albanese told the National Press Club.

"Because we don't want kids growing up thinking that footy and gambling are inextricably linked. We want Australians to love sport for what it is."

Mr Albanese also flagged a crackdown on online lottery products and offshore gambling providers, as well as a ban on online keno so-called "pocket pokies".

Coalition communication spokesperson Sarah Henderson did not say whether the Opposition will support the bill when it is introduced, only that the response was overdue, while the Greens vowed to push for the policy to be strengthened.

Former opposition leader Peter Dutton pledged to ban gambling ads during sports broadcasts and for an hour on either side in 2023. This week, Senator Henderson said the Coalition "will scrutinise the detail of these reforms, but we certainly welcome that at last we have seen some action from this government".

Greens communication spokeswoman Sarah Hanson-Young said the proposal did not go far enough and accused the prime minister of not having the "guts" to stand up to the gambling lobby.

“Our job is not to rubber stamp the squibbed policy put forward by the prime minister," she said.

Reform stalled for years

It has been more than a 1,000 days since the government was delivered the You Win Some, You Lose More report from a parliamentary inquiry into online gambling harms led by the late Labor MP Peta Murphy.

The inquiry made 31 recommendations, including a phased total ban on online gambling advertising as well as TV, radio and in stadiums and on jerseys.

There was also a call to create a national online gambling harm reduction strategy, establish clearer Commonwealth regulation, a new independent online gambling ombudsman and introduce a harm-reduction levy on betting companies to fund research, education and support services.

One of the key recommendations was to ban or restrict inducements, such as bonus bets and promotions that encourage riskier betting.

Mr Albanese said the government would table a full response to the Murphy report when parliament returns in May, but acknowledged the parliamentary review "isn't where it started and ended".

Responsible Wagering Australia, which represents betting companies, released a statement saying the group was "deeply disappointed" by what it labelled "draconian measures".

"This announcement, with no heads-up and no genuine consultation, is a real kick in the guts for the industry," chief executive Kai Cantwell said.

"This sets a dangerous precedent. Today it’s gambling advertising, tomorrow it’s alcohol, then it’s sugary drinks, fast food, critical minerals and who knows what else comes next."

Reforms don't go far enough, according to doctors and MPs

Independent MPs who have spent the last few years calling for the government to action the Murphy report's recommendations welcomed Labor's movement in the space but expressed dismay at the extent of the measures.

West Australian MP Kate Chaney said Labor's proposal amounted to "tinkering around the edges of meaningful reform".

While she acknowledged the announcement was a start, she suggested it had "been designed to give certainty to powerful vested interests rather than to reduce harm".

"That is exactly what the gambling companies want — if you fail to work out how to opt out of gambling ads online, it's on you."

Fellow independent David Pocock said it was "hugely disappointing".

"While I’ll need to look at the details closely, at first blush these reforms will lead to more ads on social media, on streaming services and on podcasts, and it will not reverse the rampant normalisation of gambling as an inseparable part of sport," he said.

Liberal MP Simon Kennedy, who is a co-chair of a parliamentary friends group on gambling harm minimisation, took a similar view.

"The prime minister has reluctantly moved on gambling reform under pressure from parliament, but after years of inaction the announcement is overdue and underwhelming," he said.

The Australian Medical Association also criticised the proposal, with vice-president Julian Rait declaring: "Anything less than a comprehensive ban will continue to expose Australians — especially children — to relentless gambling promotion."