Stop gambling advertising now
The Australian Government has introduced gambling reform legislation — but partial restrictions won’t protect our kids. We need a full ban on gambling advertising on TV, radio, billboards, and online, and a National Online Gambling Regulator to enforce it.
Finish the job — ban gambling ads outright
The Government has tabled gambling reform legislation, and that’s a step forward. But the bill as introduced does not go far enough. Phased restrictions and partial bans leave the door open to the gambling industry’s relentless targeting of children and vulnerable people.
We are calling on Parliament to finish the job:
- Implement a full ban on gambling advertising — on TV, radio, billboards, online, and all other media
- Establish a National Online Gambling Regulator with real enforcement power
- End the industry’s ability to market harm as a normal part of sport
The petition
We, the undersigned, call on the Australian Parliament to finish the job on gambling reform:
- Implement a full ban on gambling advertising on TV, radio, billboards, and online
- Establish a National Online Gambling Regulator to enforce the ban and protect communities
- No phase-ins, no exemptions, no loopholes
Write to Ted O'Brien
Ask Ted O’Brien to support a full ban on gambling advertising and a National Online Gambling Regulator.
Suggested email text:
Dear Minister O’Brien,
I welcome the introduction of gambling reform legislation, but I am concerned that it does not go far enough. Partial restrictions and phased bans will not protect children and families from the harm caused by this industry’s aggressive marketing.
I urge you to support:
- A full ban on gambling advertising on TV, radio, billboards, and online
- The establishment of a National Online Gambling Regulator with real enforcement power
Half-measures aren’t good enough. Finish the job.
Yours sincerely,
Add your voice
Add your details to support the Fairfax Matters petition to finish the job on gambling reform — a full ban on gambling ads and a National Online Gambling Regulator.
Why stop gambling ads?
Australians lose more money to gambling per person than people in any other country. In 2022-23 alone, Australians lost more than $31.5 billion, about $1,527 for every adult.
In 2023, the late Labor MP Peta Murphy chaired a cross-party parliamentary inquiry that produced You win some, you lose more: a unanimous, bipartisan roadmap of 31 recommendations to reduce gambling harm.
That roadmap already exists. What is missing is the political will to implement it properly. Partial measures leave dangerous gaps, allow gambling advertising to keep reaching children, and let preventable harm continue.
A proven roadmap
The Murphy Report recommendations were agreed unanimously by the parliamentary committee.
Real human harm
Gambling harm can mean debt, family breakdown, domestic violence, depression and suicide.
Children are exposed
Sport, advertising and game-like products can normalise gambling before children can vote.
What stronger action should include
A full advertising ban
A comprehensive, phased ban across broadcast television, radio, streaming, social media, sport sponsorships and public spaces.
An immediate ban on inducements
No bonus bets, sign-up offers or other promotions designed to pull people into gambling.
Protection for children
Action to stop gambling being normalised through sport, apps, games and constant advertising exposure.
Independent enforcement
A regulator with the power to enforce the rules without loopholes shaped by gambling and media interests.
The legislation is a start — but it's not the finish line
We’ve won the argument. Now we need to win the vote. Tell your representatives: no phase-ins, no exemptions, no loopholes. Ban gambling advertising outright across all media, and establish a National Online Gambling Regulator.
Where the legislation stands now
Latest update: The Australian Government has introduced gambling reform legislation into Parliament. It’s a step forward — but it doesn’t finish the job.
What’s been announced:
- A complicated mix of different rules for different channels at different times
- Exceptions — and exceptions to the exceptions
- Systems that are still to be designed
What’s still needed:
- A full ban on gambling advertising — on TV, radio, billboards, and online
- A National Online Gambling Regulator with the power to enforce the rules
- A public-health response to gambling advertising, not a carve-out that protects the industry
“The Australia Institute has been clear: anything short of a comprehensive ban allows the industry to continue profiting from harm. Gambling advertising is a public health issue, not a commercial free-speech issue. The only adequate response is a full ban — and the regulatory architecture to enforce it.”
— The Australia Institute
“At least three-quarters of Australians support phasing out gambling ads, as we did with tobacco.
Instead, we’ve got this really complicated combination of different rules for different channels at different times, with exceptions, exceptions to exceptions and last-minute systems that are yet to be designed.
I think the government is just playing to the money and the power. It’s listening to the gambling industry. You might notice there isn’t a single expert who works in this area saying this is a good thing.”
— Kate Chaney
The petition remains open — your signature still matters.
Fairfax Matters · Supporting stronger action to stop gambling advertising