Labor’s gambling reform friendless as Coalition withholds support amid drug and sex worker allegations
News Source
•Wed, 05 Aug 2026 07:50:14 GMT
📰 What Happened
Labor's plan to restrict online gambling ads is short of support. The Coalition wants tougher rules and will push for changes before backing the bill. It follows an inquiry where witnesses claimed gambling firms offered drugs and sex workers to keep problem gamblers betting. The Greens and key independents also want a significantly stronger law.
🔍 The Backstory
Australia has some of the highest gambling losses in the world. Gambling advertising is heavy and hard to escape on TV and online. Past attempts at reform have failed in the Senate. To pass now, the government needs parties that are all demanding more action, making the bill hard to get through. So a final deal is far from certain.
🎯 Why It Matters
Gambling ads are everywhere and feed addiction. Stronger rules could protect vulnerable people and reduce gambling harm in everyday life.
Labor's plan to restrict online gambling ads is short of support. The Coalition wants tougher rules and will push for changes before backing the bill. It follows an inquiry where witnesses claimed gambling firms offered drugs and sex workers to keep problem gamblers betting. The Greens and key independents also want a significantly stronger law.
Australia has some of the highest gambling losses in the world. Gambling advertising is heavy and hard to escape on TV and online. Past attempts at reform have failed in the Senate. To pass now, the government needs parties that are all demanding more action, making the bill hard to get through. So a final deal is far from certain.
Gambling ads are everywhere and feed addiction. Stronger rules could protect vulnerable people and reduce gambling harm in everyday life.