The Australian Greens are stepping up their efforts to advocate for reforms to gambling advertisements, pledging to support the Albanese Government as it seeks to address the increasing prevalence of gambling ads affecting minors and vulnerable groups. The party’s commitment signifies a potential breakthrough on this pressing issue, reiterated by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who emphasized the need for concerted action against gambling harm.
Prime Minister Albanese recently stated, “We will do more” when it came to preventing gambling-related issues. This declaration followed the renewed urgency surrounding gambling advertisement reform, particularly after the Labor Party's previous shelving of reforms proposed late last year. Despite this promise, Albanese has also downplayed the likelihood of enacting the full ban on gambling ads initially called for by the late Labor MP Peta Murphy.
Responding to frustrations within the party and from advocates, Communications Minister Michelle Rowland acknowledged the complications of reforming gambling advertising, highlighting the lengthy consultation and policy processes needed to navigate these challenges. “Advertising reform is complex and the potential impacts on various stakeholders need to be considered,” she stated.
Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young took up the mantle this week, writing to Rowland to once again lobby the government for more decisive action on gambling advertising. The senator's latest communication reflected a shift from the Greens’ original stance, now offering to support compromises rather than insisting on complete prohibitions. She called gambling reform “the unfinished business of this parliament,” showcasing the urgent need lawmakers perceive.
Hanson-Young proposed amending the Greens’ bill so it could include partial measures based on previous government suggestions. These reforms would involve banning gambling ads during children’s programming, limiting the number of gambling ads during live sports broadcasts, and securing restrictions on online gambling advertisements. Reports suggest these proposals surfaced at meetings between backbench members and industry stakeholders last August.
Critics, including various gambling reform advocates, have pointed to significant hurdles preventing these proposals from gaining traction. Major sporting codes and online betting firms have strongly opposed even partial bans, adding pressure to the government officials who have been struggling to balance the desires of reform advocates against those of influential industry players.
The backdrop of this debate is the challenge of addressing widespread public concerns about the impact of gambling advertising, especially on children. According to Hanson-Young, the compromises presented by the Greens should pave the way for legislative discussions, as the clock is ticking toward the federal election expected before May 2025.
“The public want this done before the election and the government should listen and act,” Senator Hanson-Young said firmly. The Greens’ partial ban proposal highlights efforts to mitigate exposure to gambling ads without severing these industry ties too abruptly—a factor the Albanese Government appears to want to avoid, especially amid warnings of adverse consequences for media revenue models.
Public sentiment against gambling ads has been growing, prompting reforms at various government levels. While the federal government has hesitated, the New South Wales Labor government has taken action by removing gambling advertising from public transport networks, with plans to complete this process within 12 months.
Green Party leaders are introducing their bill for gambling advertisement restrictions this week, intending to generate momentum as Parliament sits for what may be the final chance to legislate changes during this term. Despite the intense lobbying effort from media and sporting industries against such reforms, the possibility of progress remains as the Greens aim to present pragmatically viable solutions to gambling-related issues facing Australian society.
Albanese has faced mounting pressure internally and externally, being urged to uphold the recommendations set forth by the Murphy inquiry. He has recognized the disproportionate exposure to gambling advertising during sporting events is “untenable,” but he remains cautious, stressing the need to prevent any unintended consequences of abrupt advertising changes.
For advocate Tim Costello, the reform advocate for the Alliance for Gambling Reform, there are clear calls for action: “Albo, please do this! For the sake of children being groomed by gambling advertising.” These sentiments echo the urgent need for legislative progress.
The question remains whether the Albanese administration will take the opportunity presented by the Greens to address gambling advertising or continue to delay legislative action, which many constituents anticipate before the looming election. With public opinion swaying with every debate, the eyes of Australian society remain fixed on the Parliament’s next steps against gambling advertising.