Done deal – Wagering reforms pass through parliament
Bipartisan support from Labor and the Coalition ensured major changes to Australia’s gambling laws have passed through both houses of parliament, more than three years after a key report urged urgent reforms to better regulate the wagering industry.
Federal parliament has finally passed key gambling reform legislation more than 1100 days after the release of the landmark You Win Some, You Lose More report, which called for major changes to gambling advertising and harm-reduction measures.
The new legislation, which progressed through the Senate on Wednesday, amends the Interactive Gambling Act 2026 and changes how gambling advertising is regulated across television, radio, online platforms and sporting venues.
The legislation also introduces reforms affecting inducement marketing, self-exclusion arrangements and an opt-out for advertising on digital platforms.
Under the new laws, wagering advertisements will be prohibited during live sports broadcasts and streaming services from 15 minutes before play begins until five minutes after an event concludes between 5am and 8.30pm. Wagering advertising will also be banned at sports venues and on the uniforms of players and officials.
The legislation further prohibits the use of athletes, celebrities and social media influencers in wagering promotions, the consequences of which have not yet been fully explained.
Television wagering advertising will be limited to a maximum of three advertisements per hour between 5am and 8.30pm, while radio gambling advertisements will be restricted during school drop-off and pick-up periods. The promotion of sporting odds during broadcasts will also be prohibited.
Online wagering advertisements will only be permitted where users are logged into an account, are over the age of 18 and have the option to opt out of receiving gambling advertising. The reforms also establish a national Wagering Advertising Opt-out Register designed to allow consumers to opt out across multiple services.
Racing-related media will receive an exemption.
Additional measures aimed at the proliferation of unlicensed overseas operators targeted, will allow banks and payment providers to block transactions to illegal gambling operators.
The Australian Communications and Media Authority will receive expanded powers to block unlawful gambling websites more quickly.
The legislation also bans online keno products commonly referred to as “pocket pokies” and prohibits foreign-matched lottery products.
The reforms include changes to BetStop, the National Self-Exclusion Register, following a statutory review of the scheme.
Parliament also passed the National Self-Exclusion Register (Cost Recovery Levy) Bill 2026 and the Interactive Gambling (Cost Recovery Levy) Bill 2026, which provide for recovering costs associated with the new regulatory measures from wagering companies.
Communications Minister Anika Wells said the legislation would 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,” Wells said.
She said the government had worked across Parliament to deliver “a balanced, practical and enforceable package of gambling reforms”.
The Coalition provided support to get the bills through parliament, with the intention of implementing the measures on January 1.
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