Australia Puts Gambling Reform on the Table as MPs Push for More

Australia’s gambling reform bill has finally reached Parliament. The harder part may be what comes next.

The Interactive Gambling Amendment (Gambling Reform) Bill 2026 was introduced on 2 July 2026. It comes after months of argument over betting ads, online gambling harm, and the government’s response to the Murphy Inquiry, which pushed for tougher limits on gambling promotion.

Some of the changes are substantial. Betting ads would face tighter limits, certain online products would be banned, and regulators would get more power to act against illegal offshore operators. Still, opposition MPs, independents and the Greens say the government has not gone far enough.

A Reform Package, but Not a Full Advertising Ban

The government’s proposal would restrict wagering advertising on TV to no more than three ads an hour between 6am and 8.30pm, with a complete ban during live sport broadcasts within those hours. There would also be a ban on wagering advertising in sports venues and on players’ and officials’ uniforms.

The bill also targets online gambling products. Online keno “pocket pokies” and foreign matched lotteries would be banned. Enforcement powers against illegal offshore operators would be strengthened, while BetStop, Australia’s national self-exclusion register, would be reinforced as part of the government’s harm-reduction agenda.

Most of the changes are due to commence on 1 January 2027 if the bill is passed.

Critics Say the Bill Falls Short

The bill has not entered Parliament with easy support. Members of the Liberal-National Coalition have called for more scrutiny, arguing that the legislation should be referred to a Senate inquiry. Their concern is that the government may be presenting visible reforms without doing enough to reduce gambling harm.

Independent MP Andrew Wilkie attempted to force an immediate debate after the bill was introduced. The move failed, but it underlined his strong opposition to the proposal.

Liberal MP Simon Kennedy also criticised the proposal, arguing that it does not go far enough on gambling advertising restrictions. Other Coalition MPs, including Zoe McKenzie, have also advocated for stricter guidelines on gambling ads.

What Comes Next

Now, the bill is set for the parliamentary battle. The government has a reform package to offer but its critics demand more, in particular, when it comes to gambling ads around sport. That is where the next clash is likely to be.

Should the bill succeed, there will still be stricter gambling laws in Australia from 2027. It depends on whether the Parliament keeps the package as is, or pushes it closer to the tougher approach suggested by the Murphy Inquiry.