The AFL Fans Association 2026 Fan Survey is LIVE — and this year it’s asking some important questions about the future of the game. Especially when it comes to gambling.

The AFL has to make difficult choices and trade-offs. But what would YOU choose?

Have your say in the AFL Fans Association Survey and go into the draw to win $500 or one of five $100 prizes.

Today marks Martin Thomas’s final day as CEO of The Alliance.

We want to thank Martin for his leadership, dedication and unwavering commitment to reducing gambling harm across Australia. His contribution has helped strengthen The Alliance, amplify the voices of those affected by gambling harm and build momentum for meaningful reform.

Martin will be dearly missed by our staff, Voices, partners, councils, supporters and donors.

Frequent online betting transactions are increasingly raising red flags for lenders, with men reportedly among those being knocked back for home loans.

With footy finals approaching, betting activity is expected to rise as more people turn to online betting around major sporting events.

Alliance Voices Advocate Mark Kempster says: “Betting is such a huge part of our sporting culture, and we’ve normalised it so much without thinking about the consequences in the long term.”

And the consequences can come as a surprise, with men reportedly being knocked back for home loans.

The Alliance is delighted to welcome Noosa Shire Council as a Leadership Council, joining a growing network of local councils committed to reducing gambling harm.

Local councils see firsthand the impact gambling can have on individuals, families and communities. By working together, we can strengthen advocacy, raise awareness and push for reforms that create healthier, safer communities.

We welcome Noosa Shire Council’s commitment to this important work and look forward to achieving meaningful change together.

The Alliance announces the resignation of CEO Martin Thomas, whose leadership, commitment and tireless advocacy have made an enormous contribution to our work tackling gambling harm.

Martin will be dearly missed by everyone at The Alliance.

Subject to Martin’s approval, we propose the following words from him:

“Leading The Alliance has been an enormous privilege. I want to sincerely thank our supporters and donors, partners, councils, Voices and staff for their extraordinary commitment to reducing gambling harm. The progress we have made together gives me great hope for the future, and I know The Alliance will continue to be a powerful voice for change.”

We are deeply grateful to Martin for everything he has given to The Alliance and wish him every success for the future.

That’s the conclusion of Peter Hartcher’s opinion piece in The Age examining the government’s new gambling laws and what was left out.

The new laws include a limit of three gambling ads per hour between 5am and 8.30pm, but fall short of the 2023 Murphy Report’s recommendation for a phased, comprehensive ban on gambling advertising.

Alliance Chief Advocate Tim Costello summed up the advertising restrictions: “As if we would protect our kids with just three cigarette ads an hour.”

Hartcher also looks at the decision not to ban online gambling inducements, despite the Murphy Report recommending that the Australian government prohibit all online gambling inducements and inducement advertising.

The article examines concerns about the reliance of free-to-air television and sporting codes on gambling advertising revenue, as well as David Pocock’s proposal for a 1 per cent levy on the gambling industry to help fund community sport and television.