What was debated: Interactive Gambling Amendment (Gambling Reform) Bill 2026
Summarised using AI from the official Hansard transcript of the debate only. It is not a record of the debate and may leave things out. Read the Hansard below to check it.
This bill limits gambling ads on TV, radio and online, bans them from sports jerseys and stadiums, and stops celebrities and influencers promoting betting. It also targets illegal offshore gambling sites, strengthens the BetStop self-exclusion register and bans online keno and some lottery products. The debate focused on whether it went far enough compared with the 2023 Murphy report, especially on inducements and the online opt-out model, and the Government and Coalition agreed amendments before it passed.
Arguments made in support
Government members said it is the biggest gambling reform yet, banning ads during daytime live sport, capping TV gambling ads at three an hour and clearing jerseys and stadiums.
Supporters argued children should grow up loving sport without seeing betting as part of it, and that banning celebrity and influencer promotion protects young people.
Government speakers said online platforms must check users are logged-in adults who can opt out, or else show no gambling ads to anyone.
Members backed banning online keno and closing foreign and fake lottery loopholes, saying this protects consumers, newsagents and charities.
Coalition speakers said the amendments they negotiated, covering inducements to at-risk customers, children's programs, online live sport, a single opt-out register and a review, made the bill much stronger.
Arguments made against, or for changes
Crossbench members and the Greens said the bill ignores most Murphy report recommendations, including a full phased ad ban, a ban on inducements and a national regulator.
Critics argued partial bans just move ads to other times, pointing to three ads an hour during the day and no limit after 8.30 pm.
Many members said opt-out systems are rarely used, citing very low take-up on SBS, and called for people to opt in to gambling ads instead.
Crossbench and Greens speakers linked the bill's limits to gambling industry donations and lobbying, while Government members rejected claims about their motives.
Some Coalition members opposed banning foreign matched lotteries, saying it would cost about 50 jobs and that the evidence of harm had not been shown.
395 speeches by 83 members in the House and Senate over 5 sitting days.
Hansard: House of Representatives, 2 July 2026 ›
The official Hansard (PDF), Parliament of Australia
Hansard: House of Representatives, 12 Aug 2026 ›
The official Hansard (PDF), Parliament of Australia
Hansard: House of Representatives, 13 Aug 2026 ›
The official Hansard (PDF), Parliament of Australia
Hansard: House of Representatives, 18 Aug 2026 ›
The official Hansard (PDF), Parliament of Australia
Hansard: Senate, 19 Aug 2026 ›
The official Hansard (PDF), Parliament of Australia
What was debated: National Self-exclusion Register (Cost Recovery Levy) Amendment Bill 2026
Summarised using AI from the official Hansard transcript of the debate only. It is not a record of the debate and may leave things out. Read the Hansard below to check it.
This bill expands the cost-recovery levy for BetStop, the national register people can use to exclude themselves from online gambling. It lets the levy cover more of the work done by ACMA and the department, including promotion and awareness campaigns. The transcript covers its introduction and passage, with no debate.
Arguments made in support
The minister said a review found only one in four people know BetStop exists, so more promotion is needed.
The minister said gambling companies, not taxpayers, should pay for this work.
3 speeches by 2 members in the House over 2 sitting days.
Hansard: House of Representatives, 2 July 2026 ›
The official Hansard (PDF), Parliament of Australia
Hansard: House of Representatives, 18 Aug 2026 ›
The official Hansard (PDF), Parliament of Australia
What was debated: Interactive Gambling (Cost Recovery Levy) Bill 2026
Summarised using AI from the official Hansard transcript of the debate only. It is not a record of the debate and may leave things out. Read the Hansard below to check it.
This bill creates a levy on licensed online wagering companies to cover the cost of new gambling rules. Those rules, in a companion bill, are expected to limit betting inducements and set up a register where people can opt out of seeing wagering ads. The bill passed the House without debate beyond the minister's speech.
Arguments made in support
The minister said the wagering industry, not taxpayers, should pay the cost of regulating these activities.
The minister said a Senate inquiry heard concerns about betting inducements adding to gambling harm, which the companion reforms aim to address.
The minister said the levy would only recover the costs of running and enforcing the new rules.
3 speeches by 2 members in the House over 2 sitting days.
Hansard: House of Representatives, 17 Aug 2026 ›
The official Hansard (PDF), Parliament of Australia
Hansard: House of Representatives, 18 Aug 2026 ›
The official Hansard (PDF), Parliament of Australia
Every party member who voted went with the majority of their party.