Australia Advances Gambling Advertising Reform With New Opt-Out System
Highlights:
- Australia is moving forward with a national register allowing consumers to opt out of gambling promotions.
- New restrictions will also cover influencer endorsements, advertising during live sport and customer-related commissions.
Australia is moving ahead with a new package of online gambling reforms after the government and opposition Coalition reached an agreement on amendments to the Interactive Gambling Bill. The proposed changes include a national register allowing Australians to indicate that they do not want to receive gambling advertising across different platforms.
However, a Senate inquiry raised concerns about whether an opt-out model would effectively protect vulnerable consumers. The committee received 97 submissions from public health experts, people affected by gambling harm, broadcasters, industry representatives and regulators.
The legislation also proposes restrictions on gambling endorsements involving celebrities, athletes and social media influencers. Moreover, the Australian Communications and Media Authority will get additional powers to require online services to implement relevant measures.
Restrictions on advertising of live sport will also become tighter. The pre-match blackout period for wagering advertisements will increase from five minutes to 15 minutes, while the daily advertising prohibition will begin at 5 am rather than 6 am.
Wagering companies will additionally be prevented from paying commissions or performance-based incentives linked to acquiring, retaining or managing customers.
Despite the reforms, the package does not introduce a complete gambling advertising ban. Responsible Wagering Australia has criticised several measures, warning they could push consumers towards offshore operators. The legislation is expected to take effect from January 1, 2027.
For the full news story, Read Here!
