CANBERRA – Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced what he called “the most significant reform on gambling that has ever been implemented” in Australia – a package that limits television gambling ads to three per hour.
Previously there had been no cap. So technically the reform represents an infinity-per-cent reduction in allowable ad saturation.
“What we don’t want is kids growing up thinking that footy and gambling are the same thing” the Prime Minister told the National Press Club. He then clarified that kids are still allowed to see up to three gambling ads per hour between 6am and 8.30pm but not during live sport in those hours.
The reforms also ban gambling logos on jerseys and in stadiums beginning January 2027 – giving the industry a generous nine months to figure out how to put the logos somewhere else.
“This is a kick in the guts” a spokesperson for the wagering industry said. “Today it’s gambling advertising. Tomorrow it’s alcohol. Then sugary drinks. Where does it end? People being healthy? Is that what they want?”
Gambling reform advocates said the measures did not go far enough noting that Australians lost $31.5 billion on gambling last financial year. They called for a full ban as recommended by the late Peta Murphy’s parliamentary inquiry three years ago.
A senior departmental figure said the government had “carefully balanced the interests of public health with the need to avoid upsetting anyone who donates.”
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