IN THE NEWS

The Alliance for Gambling Reform (AGR) congratulates the ACT Labor Government on delivering on its election commitment to tackle gambling harm, welcoming a reform package that sets a new national benchmark for poker machine harm minimisation.

We hope every state government in the country follows suit to tackle poker machine harm with the same seriousness."

AGR supports the ban on ATM and EFTPOS cash withdrawals at venues with poker machines, simpler and stronger self-exclusion arrangements, the long-term reduction in poker machine numbers, and measures to help clubs build business models that rely less on gambling revenue.

However, AGR is concerned that the reforms do not go far enough in relation to mandated loss limits, legislating breaks in play, and reducing shutdown periods.

We’re incredibly grateful to the Reichstein Foundation for its ongoing support of the Alliance for Gambling Reform and its commitment to gambling reform as an issue of social and economic justice.

Reichstein has supported our work since 2015, helping us sustain the long-term advocacy needed to push for stronger gambling laws, less gambling advertising and better protections for people and communities experiencing gambling harm.

Recent federal reforms fall short of the comprehensive change we need, so our work continues. We’re grateful to have long-term, values-aligned partners like Reichstein standing alongside us.

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.

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.

We’re delighted to announce Sunita Bose as the incoming CEO of The Alliance.

Sunita brings more than 20 years of leadership across advocacy, social impact and the not-for-profit sector, including senior roles with UNICEF Australia, Oxfam and Change.org, and six years leading DIGI.

Her experience building coalitions and driving policy reform will be invaluable as The Alliance enters its next chapter.

Sunita says: “An alliance of organisations has been sounding the alarm on the effects of gambling harm decades; I'm inspired by the prospect of working with them and the Alliance for Gambling Reform team to influence such a high-impact issue at an inflection point for reform.”

We also thank outgoing CEO Martin Thomas for his outstanding contribution and leadership.

The Alliance has awarded its inaugural Lifetime Achievement award to Brisbane-based campaigner, Janina Anstee, to recognise her decades of advocating for gambling reform.

Ms Anstee has campaigned tirelessly for gambling reform since 1987 after her husband Leslie took his own life after a 40-year gambling addiction that began at age 13 and left the family in debt.

Alliance Chair, Angela Tillmanns presented the award to Ms Anstee to recognise her amazing contribution.

“Her demands for change all those years ago in 1988 closely mirror many of the 31 unanimous recommendations of Parliament's 2023 "Murphy Report" into online gambling harm — meaning Janina was making the case for reform 35 years before Parliament caught up,” Ms Tillmanns said.

Ms Anstee said it was time for the Prime Minister to “pull his head out of the sand”.

The Alliance Chief Advocate Tim Costello has criticised the government’s proposed reforms for failing to protect children and separate gambling from sport.

“This is a massive missed opportunity. It fails to protect kids, it fails to delink gambling and sport. They were the two things the Prime Minister said his bill would do. And most importantly, it does not even mention a national regulator when we have the greatest losses and harm per capita than anywhere in the world.”

Australia needs stronger action to prevent gambling harm.

Alliance Chief Advocate Tim Costello has exposed disturbing allegations about how vulnerable people can be targeted with gambling inducements.

Giving evidence referenced at the Senate inquiry, Tim said:

“He was flown to events from the Gold Coast to Melbourne. He was put up. He was given escorts. He was asked what drugs you like.”

The evidence has intensified pressure on the Federal Government to strengthen gambling reforms and tackle inducements that can keep people gambling despite serious harm.

Australians deserve protections that put people before gambling industry profits.

This week’s Senate inquiry into gambling reform heard testimony that gambling companies used inducements including escorts, drugs, exclusive event access and bonus bets disproportionate to a person’s income to keep people gambling.

These practices may not be isolated. If you or someone you know has experienced a gambling company offering similar inducements, your story could help expose harmful industry practices and strengthen the case for reform.

New research from FARE reveals every AFL and NRL club is sponsored by an alcohol company, while every NRL club and five AFL clubs have gambling sponsors.

Former NRL player Luke Bateman warned: “Advertising doesn’t give people a problem, but what it does is normalises it and makes it seem as though sports cannot exist without these things.”

Children should be able to enjoy sport without being relentlessly exposed to industries linked to serious harm. Governments and sporting codes must put community wellbeing ahead of sponsorship revenue.

Former NRL player Luke Bateman has told a Senate inquiry how gambling companies offered bonus bets, alcohol, interstate trips and even drugs while he was experiencing severe gambling harm.

Alliance Chief Advocate Tim Costello warned the proposed laws still fail to ban inducements or establish a national regulator.

“It’s line ball whether [the proposed legislation] is actually better than the status quo,” Tim said.

The 2023 Murphy report called for a total ban on gambling inducements. Australians continue to lose an estimated $32 billion to gambling each year.

Australia needs stronger reform that puts people before gambling profits.

Former NRL player Luke Bateman has told a Senate inquiry how gambling companies offered bonus bets, alcohol, interstate trips and even drugs while he was experiencing severe gambling harm.

Alliance Chief Advocate Tim Costello warned the proposed laws still fail to ban inducements or establish a national regulator.

“It’s line ball whether [the proposed legislation] is actually better than the status quo,” Tim said.

The 2023 Murphy report called for a total ban on gambling inducements. Australians continue to lose an estimated $32 billion to gambling each year.

Australia needs stronger reform that puts people before gambling profits.

Children should be able to enjoy sport without being constantly exposed to gambling ads.

Have gambling ads affected your family? Share your experience with The Alliance. Your story could help build the case for stronger protections for children.

UK

• When the Fun Stops, Stop

• Take Time to Think

• GambleAware

Australia

• Chances are you're about to lose.

• You win some. You lose more.

• What's gambling really costing you?

Different slogans. Same problem.

As Louise from No Escape From The Bet, a new UK campaign highlighting the impact of gambling advertising on people in recovery, says:

"For someone in recovery, a brief responsible gambling message at the end of an advert is unlikely to outweigh the repeated encouragement to place another bet."

We’d much rather see the end of gambling ads used to promote real support, like BetStop, Australia’s National Self-Exclusion Register, than messages that place the responsibility back on individuals.

Our new research, 𝘽𝙖𝙙 𝘽𝙚𝙩𝙨: 𝙃𝙤𝙬 𝗼𝙪𝙧 𝘀𝙪𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙖𝙣𝙣𝙪𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝗰𝙤𝙢𝙥𝙖𝙣𝙞𝙚𝙨 𝗮𝙧𝙚 𝗶𝙣𝙫𝙚𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙞𝙣 𝗴𝙖𝙢𝙗𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝘀𝙩𝙤𝙘𝙠𝙨, found:

• No fund achieved a "Leading Practice" rating.
• Most funds were rated only Basic or Limited for addressing gambling harm.
• Australia's largest super fund held $4.9 billion in gambling-related investments.

Because of limited disclosure requirements, the true level of investment is likely to be even higher.

Australians deserve to know where their retirement savings are invested.

Read the report: https://www.agr.org.au/agr-media-releases/our-biggest-super-funds-hold-%2414.8b-in-gambling-stocks

Tasmanians lost a record $208.27 million to poker machines in 2025-26 - about $360 per person and a 6.9 per cent increase in one year.

Alliance Voices Advocate Mark Kempster said the figures “should alarm every single Tasmanian”.

“In a time where we are facing a generation-altering cost of living crisis, this is a number that every member of the state Liberal government and Labor opposition in Tasmania should be truly ashamed of,” he said.

Tasmania needs strong, evidence-based reforms that put families before gambling industry profits.

New research from Dr Daniel Bennett shows how gambling harm is shaped not only by individual choices, but also by product design.

Cash-out features: Can encourage people to gamble 25-35% more by increasing the feeling of control.

In-app live sport streaming: Keeps users on gambling platforms longer and makes it easier to gamble while watching.

Continuous gambling loop: Fast deposits, in-play gambling and rapid results make it easy to move from one gamble to the next, increasing harm.

Listen to the University of Melbourne’s PsychTalks episode:

The Alliance CEO Martin Thomas has criticised the Prime Minister for using poker machines to minimise the devastating harm caused by online gambling.

“It appears the only time a sitting government advocates for reform is when it is not in their own jurisdiction,” Thomas said. “The PM only sees poker machines as the problem rather than the devastating harm online gambling is causing — especially to our kids.”

Prominent gambling reform advocate Tim Costello has blasted the government’s new advertising rules for streaming services as being much worse than the status quo, accusing Labor of removing existing protections to favour sports betting companies at the expense of families.

Some Labor MPs are also concerned that the new laws for streamers represent a backwards step, after this masthead reported that Labor’s long-awaited gambling package will override the current advertising blackout for live sport streamed online between 5am and 8.30pm.

Instead, Labor’s changes will allow digital platforms to start showing registered adult users unlimited gambling ads at half-time and quarter-time breaks unless they opt out – a move critics warn will flood streaming services with betting advertisements.

"Labor is trying to please everyone with its proposed gambling reforms. But the government’s middle path approach, giving all parties at least some of what they want – as is so often Anthony Albanese’s preferred route – is not working at the moment, and the government is pleasing no one."

The blockage to more sweeping reforms to gambling advertising, as recommended in the committee report You win some, you lose more led by the late Labor MP Peta Murphy, starts right at the top of government."

Tim Costello says gambling is an adult product like cigarettes, but since 2008 it has become so normalised in grooming our kids that we have become immune.

As gambling reforms are being rammed through Parliament, Tim warns the legislation does not protect kids or delink gambling and sport.

It offers an opt out of gambling ads, not an opt in. SBS has had an opt out option for nearly two years and only 0.2% of viewers have opted out.

The laws also allow a free-for-all of gambling ads after 8.30pm, and reduce gambling ads to three an hour - “as if we would protect our kids with just three cigarette ads as an hour.”

New research from The Australia Institute shows Australians have lost more than $104 billion to gambling since the Murphy Review was released three years ago.

Alliance Chief Advocate Tim Costello said: “Behind this eye-watering gambling losses total that has been highlighted by The Australian Institute, lies social harm on an industrial scale including bankruptcies, family break up, domestic violence and suicide.”

The Alliance is calling for a full gambling ad ban, a ban on inducements and a national regulator to reduce gambling harm and protect children.

The ACT Government's independent inquiry into the future of clubs has outlined a 20-year transition plan to reduce reliance on gambling revenue.

After extensive consultation, the report proposes cutting poker machine numbers from 3,500 to 1,000 by 2045 while supporting clubs to diversify their income. You can read the report here:

At a Parliamentary Friends event in Canberra, The Alliance’s Chief Advocate Tim Costello helped shine a light on the growing impact of gambling harm on young people.

Matthew Sefky from Gambling Education Australia also spoke about trends among young people - where they are being exposed to gambling, how they are gambling, the link between gambling and sport, and the impact on high school students.

New research shows young Australians are increasingly concerned about the flood of gambling advertising in sport, with many saying it has gone too far. While 77% of Australians support a total ban on gambling ads, the federal government's proposed reforms fall short of the Murphy Review's recommendation for a comprehensive ban.

Alliance Voices Advocate Mark S said:
"When our children are saying they've had enough of gambling ads, it's time for the government to listen. Young people should be able to enjoy sport without being bombarded by messages that normalise gambling. Kids can see the problem. The question is, why can't our leaders?"

We know that nothing good happens on a poker machine at 3am.

The evidence shows that harm escalates in the early hours – when people are tired and isolated, they are more likely to chase losses. We maintain the urgency of a shutdown on pokies from midnight-4am. 

An ABC report highlights how gambling is becoming normalised among young Australians, with almost one in three teenagers gambling. Young people describe accessing gambling products while still at school, being exposed to constant gambling advertising, and feeling pressure from sporting and social cultures where gambling is treated as normal.

One young person, Dylan*, says he has lost "at least $900,000" since first gambling at age 15. Researchers warn that widespread marketing, inducements and the normalisation of gambling in sport are increasing the risk of gambling harm for children and young people.

86% of Canberrans want gambling industry donations out of ACT politics. 83% believe this money is shaping gambling reform decisions.

It's easy to see why - ACT parties have taken hundreds of thousands from the gambling industry, while reforms like advertising bans stay stalled. Meanwhile, the ACT saw over 72,000 gambling harm incidents last year - 200 a day.

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.

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.

A 16-year-old reportedly gambled more than $20,000 across Sydney’s Crown and Star casinos over five months using fake ID.

He visited Crown 19 times, reached silver membership status and was even served complimentary alcohol before finally being caught.

Crown has been fined $1.75 million and The Star $500,000.

If casinos can’t identify a teenager after 19 visits, while rewarding him with status and alcohol, how can gambling companies claim they’ll protect young people across gambling apps used by millions?

Our kids deserve real protection from gambling harm - not slogans.

Three years after Peta Murphy called for a comprehensive ban on gambling advertising and inducements, Labor’s reforms leave major gaps.

Her husband, Rod Glover, said: “The final package falls well short of the Murphy Report recommendations, which remain the benchmark for comprehensive reform.”

The changes will restrict some gambling advertising, but they stop short of the full protections Murphy recommended. Australians, especially children and young people, deserve stronger action against an industry that profits from gambling harm.

The fight for comprehensive reform is not over.

The tentative deal on gambling advertising reforms does not match the scale of the harm.

The Alliance, as well as several crossbenchers, are pushing for stronger action in line with the Murphy report, including banning inducements, phasing out gambling advertising and establishing a national regulator.

As The Alliance Chief Advocate Tim Costello said: “We got there with tobacco. We will get there but it will be a much longer flight.”

Australians deserve reforms that put public health ahead of gambling industry interests.

Listen on ABC Radio: https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/am/am/106974316

The two major parties have failed to seize the opportunity to protect Australian families from predatory gambling companies, by striking a deal to pass ‘weak’ and ‘timid’ gambling reforms.

The Chief Advocate of the Alliance for Gambling Reform, Tim Costello, said the deal struck between the Albanese Government and the Opposition has blown a golden opportunity for real reforms and instead families and children will still be exposed to harrowing gambling harm.

“The Senate Inquiry into these reforms highlighted shocking cases in which gambling companies were abusing their power, offering illicit drugs, escorts and free luxury accommodation in order to keep people betting – even when their betting was completely out of control,” Rev. Costello said.

“The reforms that will now go through the Federal Parliament are cosmetic over substance and reflect the major party's intent to prioritise power, money and vested interests over the welfare of Australians who lose more to gambling than any other country on the planet on a per capita basis.”

Writing in The Guardian, former independent MP and journalist Zoe Daniel argues that Australia’s proposed gambling reforms fall far short of what families need.

Alliance Voices Advocate Mark Kempster told the Senate inquiry:

“I know dozens of examples of what Luke said as well, with the people I’ve worked with. That is a regular occurrence. Those types of things happen across nearly all the major VIP programs that I’ve seen,”

Zoe Daniel’s article highlights the devastating consequences of gambling harm and the urgent need for stronger regulation and accountability.

Indigenous Rabbitohs players are reminding Aboriginal young people to focus on the game, not the punt in a social media campaign that encourages conversations around gambling harm.

Latrell Mitchell, Cody Walker, David Fifita and Tallis Duncan are fronting the campaign, launched after research found Aboriginal people in NSW experience at-risk gambling at nearly three times the rate of the general population.

Cody Walker said: "Gambling is something that can have a bigger impact than people realise, and it's important that young people have the right conversations around it."

Role models matter. Conversations save lives. Let's back campaigns that protect our youth from gambling harm.

Social media is being flooded with videos that glamorise poker machines and illegal online gambling, often without gambling harm warnings. Regulators fear this content blurs entertainment and marketing, normalises gambling and presents it as “a source of easy money”.

University of Melbourne researcher Angela Rintoul warned: “It appears to be a form of marketing that has been under the radar and overlooked by regulators and platforms.”

Only one influencer has reportedly been disciplined, despite regulators investigating multiple cases.

The Alliance is calling for stronger protections from gambling promotion online.

Former NRL player Luke Bateman alleges gambling company employees offered to arrange illicit drugs while cultivating him as a "high-value customer".

At the height of his gambling harm, Bateman was losing tens of thousands of dollars each month and receiving relentless inducements.

“What we're trying to stop is the relentless targeting of vulnerable individuals,” he said.

His evidence shows why self-regulation is not enough. We must ban inducements, end gambling ads and establish a national gambling regulator.

Gambling companies spend millions making sure your children know their brands, their odds, and how to place a bet before they're old enough to do it legally.
We have had enough.

We're launching Parents for Gambling Reform, a movement of mums, dads, and carers who are done watching gambling ads follow their kids everywhere. We want to hear from you. What are your kids seeing? What are you worried about?

Australian governments are responsible for reducing gambling harm, yet they rely heavily on gambling revenue.

NSW collected $3.6 billion in gambling taxes in 2024-25, while Victoria collected more than $2.4 billion. This dependence creates a powerful barrier to meaningful reform.

As one MP warned, government had “sunk to the depths, was desperate for money, and was capitalising upon the most vulnerable members of the community”.

Governments must reform federal-state funding so essential services no longer depend on the gambling losses of everyday Australians.

Queenslanders lost almost $4.1 billion to poker machines last financial year, while the number of machines increased to about 40,720.

The Alliance CEO Martin Thomas said: “The failure of the Queensland Government to properly regulate poker machines, even allowing more machines in some cases, is causing gambling harm at record levels.”

The Alliance is calling for shorter operating hours and mandatory carded play with precommitment, so people set a loss limit before gambling.

Governments must put public safety ahead of poker machine profits.

Labor received at least $4.4 million from gambling-related entities over five years, while weakening proposed gambling advertising reforms.

Alliance Chief Advocate Tim Costello warned: “Their power and grip on the party through donations seems to be untouchable.”

He also said: “Labor has a gambling problem, whether it’s [NSW Premier Chris] Minns over pokies, or Albanese refusing to implement the Murphy report.”

Political donations must not stand in the way of reforms that protect families from gambling harm. Australians deserve stronger advertising restrictions, independent regulation and political courage.

Tasmania’s gaming regulator says new poker machine policies could increase gambling harm and “take Tasmania backwards”.

The commission was not consulted before measures including ATMs in venues and ticket-in ticket-out systems were approved.

Tasmania needs stronger safeguards, not policies that make it easier to chase losses.

Since the Murphy review, Australians have lost over $104 billion to gambling. Alliance Chief Advocate Tim Costello called it a "national tragedy."

"Behind this eye-watering gambling losses total... lies social harm on an industrial scale, including bankruptcies, family break-up, domestic violence and suicide," he said.

He said the government's response is "far too timid."

Tasmania has granted Betr a gambling licence, even as the government admits its laws need updating.

Andrew Wilkie asked: “And call me pedantic, but isn't the right time to do that before you roll out the red carpet to a predatory industry?”

Mark Kempster of The Alliance said the move is a “perfect example” of why Australia needs a national regulator.

People deserve protection from gambling harm, not weak rules industry can exploit.

Sean Kelly makes the case clearly: if Labor has a moral obligation to act on housing because the system is broken, the same must apply to gambling ads.

The evidence is damning. As one report found, “greater advertising exposure increases participation which leads to a greater risk of harm.”

Children, young people and those already at risk are being exposed to relentless gambling marketing. The Alliance is calling for stronger action, not half-measures.

Three years after the late MP Peta Murphy’s landmark report called for a total ban on gambling advertising, the federal government’s proposed laws still fall short.

A key concern is the carve-out for digital platforms. As 7.30’s Jacob Greber reported, the legislation could allow online platforms to carry more gambling advertising than terrestrial television, leaving people exposed through social media and targeted digital content.

Liberal MP Simon Kennedy says there is enough bipartisan support, including among Labor backbenchers, to send the legislation to further inquiry.

Liberal MP Simon Kennedy has urged his party to “stand up” for Australians harmed by gambling and push for stronger gambling ad reform.

Alliance Chief Advocate Tim Costello has also called out the failure of weak opt-out measures and the continued exposure of children to gambling advertising.

Mr Costello said SBS’s opt-out feature had not worked, with just 0.2 per cent of users opting out.

Too many people who share their stories with The Alliance have one thing in common - their gambling began when they were children or teenagers.

What started as a normalised activity in their family, community, or through exposure to gambling advertising often grew into serious gambling harm later in life. Their stories are a powerful reminder that gambling is not just an adult issue - the messages and influences young people are exposed to today can shape their future.

ANZ approved a loan for Dorset Gardens Hotel on the condition it increased the number of pokies in its gaming room - a move also approved by the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission.

The Alliance Chief Advocate Tim Costello slammed the decision, warning it would do more harm than good for the local area.

Direct quote available: “truly shocking”

“I’ve stolen clients’ money, and you’re one of them.”

Kym Cavigan says her accountant, Andrew Marshall, stole $871,000 of her life savings and used it to fund gambling harm. Marshall pleaded guilty to theft and was sentenced to six years and five months in prison.

Kym is now working seven days a week and fighting for stronger laws so victims of crime can recover money lost to gambling companies.

Australians lose $32 billion a year to gambling, the highest per-capita losses in the world. Yet despite a parliamentary inquiry recommending a full ban on online gambling advertising and strong public support for tougher action, Australia is moving towards only a partial advertising cap.

The ABC News Loop highlights concerns that powerful interests across gambling companies, sporting codes and broadcasters continue to influence the debate while Australians, including children, are exposed to gambling ads across sport and social media.

It's time for meaningful reform that puts people ahead of industry profits and reduces gambling harm.

A pop-up gambling site reportedly offered odds on sports contests between Melbourne private schools, including competitions involving minors. ACMA is investigating whether the site was unlicensed, while Victoria’s gambling regulator is also looking into it, with gambling on sports involving minors banned.

This is a stark reminder of why stronger protections are needed to keep gambling away from young people and community sport.

After years of delay, the Federal Government has announced some gambling reform measures, but concerns remain about whether they go far enough to address Australia's staggering gambling losses of $32 billion a year.

The Alliance CEO Martin Thomas described Australia's gambling crisis as an “epidemic” and warned: “This [online advertising] is breeding and grooming a whole new generation of gamblers.”

The article highlights growing youth gambling participation, the influence of gambling industry donations, and ongoing calls for full implementation of the Murphy Report recommendations to reduce gambling harm.

Children today are growing up surrounded by gambling advertising — across sport, online platforms, and popular culture.

That's why The Alliance has launched Parents for Gambling Reform, a growing movement of parents and carers calling for stronger protections for children.

Their question is simple: "Why should children have to grow up surrounded by advertising that encourages gambling?"

Parents and carers can share their experiences, raise their concerns, and add their voices to the push for change.

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.

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.

Jesse placed more than 15,000 gambles worth nearly $1 million. One company gave him $43,700 in bonus gambles in just over two years, alongside free tickets, food and drinks.

VIP managers regularly added bonuses to his account, including when Jesse indicated he was struggling with his gambling. The benefits only disappeared when he stopped gambling.

Now, Jesse fears the government’s reforms will fail to prevent others from being drawn down the same path. He says inducements should have been banned outright, as recommended by the bipartisan Murphy inquiry.

“It would take away the shiny, dangling carrot that lures us in beyond our control,” Jesse says. “For me, that would have been a real sign that people were being put first.”

Alliance Voices Advocate Mark Kempster also warns the reforms “will do absolutely nothing to stop the companies from preying on people”.

Alliance Voices Advocate Mark Kempster has condemned the government’s gambling reforms, warning they leave Australians exposed to continued gambling harm.

“We feel completely abandoned by this government. We feel like they don't really care about our lives to be honest.”

Mark says gambling ads and inducements will continue, while the industry remains without a national regulator. He fears the three-year wait before the reforms are reviewed will allow devastating harm to continue.

“I'll keep fighting for it.”

The Alliance will keep pushing for reforms that put people before gambling industry profits.

Please donate to support The Alliance and our fight to reduce gambling harm.

Federal parliament is passing new gambling reforms, including tighter advertising restrictions, stronger opt-out rules and a three-year review. But critics say the package still fails to deliver the comprehensive protections Australians need.

Independent MP Andrew Wilkie warned: “Minor tweaks and piecemeal amendments to this bad bill won’t address the wave of gambling harm washing over this country. It won’t protect children. It won’t break the nexus between gambling and sport. It won’t stop the suicides.”

Australia needs reforms that put people, families and children ahead of gambling industry interests.

Anglican Churches from across Australia are calling for the Murphy Report’s recommendations to be fully implemented to protect young people and families.

“The Murphy recommendations give a sensible and balance blueprint for gambling regulation.

They protect our children and families. They must be implemented in full — there are no excuses for not doing so.

Anglican Churches from around Australia have been meeting in Melbourne and without dissent, we have agreed that the Murphy report should be adopted in full for ‘the welfare and public health of our nation’s young people and other vulnerable persons’.”

Kanishka Raffel, Anglican Archbishop of Sydney

The Senate inquiry has exposed disturbing allegations about the inducements used to keep gamblers spending.

Former NRL player Luke Bateman testified that, as a 23-year-old, he was flown to race days where VIP managers supplied him with alcohol and cocaine while he gambled away thousands.

The Alliance’s Chief Advocate Tim Costello also accused Tabcorp and Sportsbet of offering drugs and escorts to keep gamblers gambling.

These are serious allegations, and they demand scrutiny. Gambling companies should not be allowed to exploit people through inducements that contribute to gambling harm.

Alliance Chief Advocate Tim Costello has strongly condemned suggestions the government could walk away from gambling reform rather than negotiate stronger protections.

“That is absolutely shocking if they're seriously considering that. And the public won't wear it.”

Tim says the proposed legislation still allows three gambling ads an hour on free-to-air television and leaves people watching sport on streaming services exposed unless they actively opt out.

The Alliance is calling for meaningful, evidence-based reform, including stronger restrictions on gambling advertising, a ban on inducements and better protection for children and people experiencing gambling harm.

This is a critical opportunity to put public health ahead of gambling industry interests. The government must return to the table and deliver reform that genuinely protects Australian families and communities. https://www.sbs.com.au/news/podcast-episode/rnf-friendless-gambling-reform-bill-faces-uncertain-future/sbouly0le

Donate to The Alliance and help us campaign for stronger gambling laws. https://www.agr.org.au/donate-2026-m-sm

Luke Bateman’s testimony exposed how gambling companies have treated high-value customers as revenue targets, not people needing protection.

He described being flown interstate, given alcohol, offered drugs and encouraged with bonus gambling offers while experiencing serious gambling harm.

The issue is bigger than which bookmaker was involved. It is a system that has used inducements to keep people gambling.

Australia needs a ban on gambling inducements and a strong national regulator.

The Senate committee has examined the Interactive Gambling Amendment (Gambling Reform) Bill 2026, hearing from The Alliance, lived experience experts, health organisations, financial counsellors and community services.

“It’s a line-ball whether it’s actually better than the status quo because this legislation weakens, particularly the protection for kids and the linking with sport,” said The Alliance Chief Advocate, Rev Tim Costello.

Reform must reduce children’s exposure to gambling and break the connection between gambling and sport - not weaken existing protections.

Support stronger protections against gambling harm.

Family time around sport should be about connection, excitement and the game - not gambling promotions.

Has your family been affected by gambling ads? Share your story with The Alliance and help strengthen the case for meaningful reform and better protections for children.

This is happening in your home, every day and the gambling industry is counting on parents staying quiet.We're not staying quiet.

Parents for Gambling Reform is collecting stories from families across Australia.

In a new Appendix W podcast episode, The Alliance CEO Martin Thomas explores how gambling has become a major public health issue, particularly for young Australians.

The discussion examines evidence of gambling harm, changes in the gambling landscape, recent regulatory reforms and the stronger policies needed to protect communities. Martin also considers what Australia’s gambling environment could look like in 10 years.

Listen to the episode and explore The Alliance’s research:

Submissions close 24 July 2026. Tell the Senate to close streaming and live sport loopholes, implement the Murphy Report, phase in a full gambling advertising ban and ban gambling inducements.

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Tasmania's gaming regulator warned the Treasurer it had "no evidence" the government's new pokies policy "will minimise harm," and cautioned it could "take Tasmania backwards from where it currently is." The regulator wasn't even consulted first.

A shelved alternative was projected to cut harm and boost the economy by $230 million instead.

Once, gambling was confined behind the doors of a local TAB. Today, it follows people everywhere through pubs, clubs and smartphones, 24 hours a day.

Morgan Campbell writes: “More money can be lost, faster, and without anyone seeing you lose it.”

The shift from physical venues to private, always-on digital gambling has made harm easier to hide and harder to escape. What now looks like convenience can carry devastating consequences for individuals and families.

Illustration by Fiona Katauskas/The Guardian

NSW Labor members are pushing the Minns Government towards stronger action on poker machine harm, including a moratorium on new machine licences, mandatory facial recognition in gaming rooms, tougher rules on machine transfers, and higher taxes for mega-clubs making more than $20 million a year from pokies.

With NSW recording around $10 billion in annual poker machine losses, reform cannot wait. Communities need action that puts people before gambling profits.

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Join Alliance Advocate Mark Kempster, Dr Charles Livingstone, Reverend Stu Cameron, Dr Sally Gainsbury and ABC host Steve Cannane on Big Ideas as they explore how the gambling industry is targeting young people through digital platforms, personalised algorithms and the growing overlap between gaming and gambling.

Max knows how gambling harm begins, and how deliberately the industry keeps people trapped.

"The providers are very wealthy, and they're very cunning. They make it so easy to place a bet. It is predatory."

His story shows why weak reforms are not enough. Gambling inducements, endless ads and app-based gambling are putting young people and families at risk, while support remains out of reach for many who need it most.

Labor’s long-delayed gambling advertising reforms are facing pushback from the Coalition and Greens, who say the package does not go far enough to protect families from gambling harm.

The bill would cap TV gambling ads at three per hour, phase in some stadium and jersey ad bans, and restrict some radio and online ads - but it falls short of the Murphy report’s call for a total gambling ad blackout.

As Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young said: “It’s a half-arsed measure that will not protect families.”

Economics editor Ross Gittins argues the Albanese Government’s response to gambling advertising reform was designed to attract as little attention as possible. Despite strong public support for a ban and recommendations from the Murphy Inquiry, the government stopped short of comprehensive action.

As Gittins writes: “The words ‘strong actions’ were repeated so often that it made you wonder whether the actions were anything but strong.”

With Australians losing more than $32 billion a year to legal gambling, the debate over meaningful reform is far from over.

New Alliance research with 200 Victorian 18- and 19-year-olds shows that young people are growing up surrounded by gambling promotion through sport, digital media and everyday advertising.

Workshop participants described gambling as highly visible, accessible and embedded in social environments. As one young person said: “Not having as many advertisements everywhere you look, like on busses and all the words I see everywhere is part of the solution”.

The findings highlight the need for stronger protections, better education and action to reduce gambling harm among young people before harmful behaviours become entrenched.

More than a dozen Coalition MPs, along with former Prime Minister John Howard and former premiers Jeff Kennett and Nick Greiner, are calling for stronger gambling laws, arguing Labor’s proposed reforms do not go far enough to reduce gambling harm.

The Alliance’s Chief Advocate Tim Costello welcomed the growing support across Parliament, saying:

“I know, because Labor members talk to me, that they want something stronger, but they’re toeing the line. We’ve known the teals and Greens view for a while, now we know the bulk of the Liberal Party’s view. The prime minister should welcome this.”

Under Labor’s draft reforms, gambling ads during live sport could still be allowed after 8.30pm.

Alliance Chief Advocate Tim Costello said the idea children all go to bed by 8.30pm in the middle of a weekend sporting event defies logic.

He said: “Imagine saying ‘we’re going to let cigarette ads start at half-time because kids should be in bed’.”

Kids deserve protection from gambling harm, not loopholes that keep exposing them to gambling ads during sport.