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IN THE NEWS
Govt Reforms Fail Young Australians
ABC News
12 May 2026
The Federal Government’s gambling reforms fail to protect children from the relentless normalisation of gambling. Alliance CEO Martin Thomas warned: “The evidence shows that underage kids as young as 14 are being targeted through social media to download gambling apps.”
Alliance Voices Advocate Mark Kempster shared his past lived experience with ABC Radio National, revealing he placed his first bet at just 16 years old and was exposed to gambling through sporting culture from a young age. Mark warned that easy access to gambling apps saw gambling become “every hour of the day” and left him feeling “completely trapped by the whole thing.”
Self-Exclusion - The Smartest Move You Can Make
She’s On The Money
27 Apr 2026
A blog from She’s On The Money highlights a confronting reality - Australians lose $31-32 billion to gambling each year, with pokies alone costing around $13 billion.
What starts as small, occasional gambling can quickly lead to financial stress and serious gambling harm. Self-exclusion is a simple, powerful tool that blocks access to gambling platforms, helping remove temptation and restore control. But we also need stronger action - a total ban on gambling ads and inducements to reduce harm at its source.
Gambling owns the umpire. Who owns the game?
3AW
21 Apr 2026
The Zak Butters tribunal has raised a question that goes way beyond one disputed sentence on a footy field. Reports that an AFL umpire has a commercial relationship with a sports betting agency raise serious questions about conflict of interest — and exactly the kind of structural issue a national regulator could address.
Mark from Voice for Gambling Reform said: "This incident in the AFL is further reason why an independent regulatory body needs to be established as soon as possible. The fact that an umpire can do outside work for a sports betting agency is at the very least a conflict of interest."
Women are fed up with gambling men – and a PM who won’t stop it
Financial Review
10 Apr 2026
This piece highlights growing frustration - especially among women - at an industry “led by men behaving badly” and a government response that falls short.
“Australian women may not easily forgive a prime minister they perceive as being on the side of an industry led by men behaving badly.”
The evidence is clear: relentless promotion, weak regulation, and rising gambling harm. Australia deserves stronger action - not excuses.
Regulator or Rubber Stamp? NT Gambling Reform Falls Short
ABC News
7 Apr 2026
A bill to reform Australia’s de facto online gambling regulator is under fire, with serious concerns it won’t fix systemic failures.
The Alliance warns the proposal is “not the product of a genuine commitment to reform, but a kneejerk, reputational response to the national scrutiny generated by the ABC Four Corners investigation, Losing Streak.”
It also describes the bill as “not a serious reform agenda, but a damage-control exercise” for a regulator seen as under-resourced and unfit for purpose.
Without real accountability, gambling harm will continue.
Read our submission:
Partial reform, lasting harm
Perceived Pressure Substack
6 Apr 2026
Australia’s new gambling reforms are a step forward—but they don’t go far enough to stop lives being ruined.
Mark Kempster, Alliance Voices Advocate, writes: “I was a nervous wreck the morning I gave my evidence… I was shaking the whole time I gave my evidence — recounting how many times gambling companies had targeted me with inducements and advertising, even as I was trying to self-exclude every month.”
Despite giving evidence and hoping for meaningful reform, these partial measures ignore the key recommendations of Peta Murphy’s inquiry. Gambling ads will still appear frequently, inducements remain unchecked, and there is no national regulator—leaving Australians exposed to harm and vulnerable to addiction.
Gambling Industry Moves to Influence Gambling Reforms
Responsible Wagering Australia
2 Apr 2026
The peak body for the gambling industry, Responsible Wagering Australia, is already moving to meet with Coalition and Crossbench politicians—no doubt to push to water down Labor’s proposed gambling reforms (as stated in their media release on 2 April 2026).
This is how it works. As soon as reform is on the table, the industry moves fast to protect its profits.
They represent some of the biggest betting companies in the country: bet365, Betfair, PointsBet, Sportsbet, Picklebet, CrownBet and Unibet—companies with deep pockets and a lot to lose.
And here’s the reality: the reforms already don’t go far enough to protect children and reduce gambling harm.
If the gambling industry succeeds in watering them down further, the harm will only continue.
1000 Days. Still No Action on Gambling Harm - Mark on Triple J
Tripple J Hack
24 Mar 2026
Alliance Voices Advocate Mark Kempster has spoken out again, highlighting the catastrophic impact gambling advertising is having on young Australians and calling out the government’s failure to act.
It has now been 1,000 days since the Murphy Report outlined 31 recommendations to reduce gambling harm, yet no meaningful reform has been delivered.
Families and communities continue to pay the price. What's your reason? Share with us today.
Join the Conversation in #Tasmania: Young People & Online Gambling Harm
Anglicare Tasmania
20 Mar 2026
Anglicare Tasmania is hosting free community events in Hobart, Devonport, and Launceston this April, exploring the impact of online gambling on young Tasmanians.
Alliance Voices Advocate, Mark Kempster, will share his personal story: he placed his first bet at 15, drawn in by a culture where betting felt normal within the sport he loved. By his early 30s, gambling had cost him $100,000 and nearly his relationship with his family. Today, he speaks openly about how gambling reshaped his personality, the moment everything collapsed, and the steps he took to rebuild his life.
Mark will be in conversation with radio host Andy ‘Tubes’ Taylor, offering insight into how online gambling first takes hold during the teenage years, why it can feel normal in sport and youth culture, the hidden impacts on mental health and relationships, and practical ways families and communities can prevent harm and support young people early.
A Father who Broke the Cycle of Gambling Harm
The Alliance
18 Mar 2026
Australians lose $31 billion to gambling every year. But behind the numbers are families like Terry’s.
Introduced to gambling as a child, Terry’s early win sparked decades of gambling harm that cost him his studies, stability and home. After a frightening wake-up call, he chose recovery. Today, 37 years on, he’s a proud father, grandfather and advocate with The Alliance.
"Gambling is a lose-lose situation," he says. "My past will never be my son's or grandson's future."
His message is urgent: "Please don't wait until it is too late. Let every one of us start a conversation on the road to saving many more lives."
Keep VicHealth Independent and Strong for a Healthier Future #SaveVicHealth
FARE Australia
4 Mar 2026
VicHealth has improved lives across Victoria for 40 years through independent, community-led health promotion. Plans to absorb it into the Department of Health risk weakening prevention, innovation and local impact.
Prevention reduces harm, saves lives and eases pressure on our health system. Now is the time to strengthen independent public health - not dismantle it.
Strong prevention systems are also critical to tackling gambling harm and other preventable health risks.
#PokiesFreePubs Are Putting People Before Profit
Sydney Morning Herald - Good Food
11 Feb 2026
A growing wave of Sydney pubs is proving you can run a successful venue without poker machines. From Paddington to Chippendale, operators are replacing gambling rooms with food, outdoor spaces and community hubs.
As one publican said: “100 per cent we’d do it again, I think they [poker machines] are a moral hazard, I’ve seen the harm they can do.”
Meanwhile, NSW poker machine losses hit $2.45 billion in just three months - a “public health catastrophe impacting every postcode and community”.
Communities are backing pubs that choose people over gambling harm. It’s time for reform that puts families first.
A David and Goliath Tale: A Time for Bravery
The Australia Institute
2 Feb 2026
"When I read Tim’s chapter in the book Brave; the silent suffering that had been my family's secret, danced across the pages with staggering clarity.
With magnanimity and resolve, Peta Murphy and Tim Costello have taken up guerrilla warfare against the gambling industry, who line the pockets of our state and federal governments and thank god.
Tim and Peta's fight has been fought, not for themselves, but for the Australian families, like mine, who lose every day.
A David and Goliath tale.
This is leadership. This is bravery. Vale Peta Murphy. "
You can buy A Time for Bravery from The Australia Institute here:
Watered down policies in Tasmania not enough
ABC Radio Hobart
26 Jan 2026
Alliance Voices Advocate Mark Kempster joins ABC Mornings with David Reilly to unpack why mandatory pre-commitment is essential to stop people chasing losses - and why walking away from this reform is a failure for public health.
They also dive into the Deloitte report that clearly outlines the steps needed to reduce gambling harm.
How gaming is getting Aussie kids hooked on gambling
Money Mag
22 Jan 2026
From loot boxes to casino-style minigames, gambling is being gamified; and kids are paying the price. Almost 1 million Australians aged 12 to 19 gambled last year – more than played footy, cricket or basketball. Many first encounter gambling through games that mimic pokies and betting apps. Despite new laws, dozens of top games still carry incorrect age ratings. The systems meant to protect kids aren’t keeping up.
Australia’s Gambling Crisis: A System Built for Harm
The AddictedRecovery Show
9 Jan 2026
Australia has the highest gambling losses per capita in the world - and it’s not even close. In the latest AddictedRecovery episode, Mark Kempster shares how he lost over $100,000 in a decade of gambling, trapped by apps, inducements, and relentless ads. Now recovered, Mark is an advocate for The Alliance's Voices for Gambling Reform program, helping others raise their voice for change. It’s time to end the cycle of harm and hold the system accountable.
That One Day That Changed Everything - Jacob's Story
The AddictedRecovery Show
6 Jan 2026
Jacob shares how football betting, smartphone apps, constant access, and the illusion of control slowly rewired his relationship with money, sport, and himself. This conversation unpacks gambling addiction, compulsive betting behaviour, dopamine highs, and the early warning signs many people miss until it’s too late. Jacob remembers one day where everything went right - every bet won, every instinct paid off, and the high felt unbeatable. But that moment didn’t save him. It planted something deeper.
In this episode, he takes us from his first bets at football matches, through the rise of online gambling and smartphone access, to travelling the world in an attempt to escape it all. This is an honest, first-time-told story about how gambling creeps in quietly, and why winning can sometimes be the most dangerous part.
Now, as an Advocate with The Alliance’s Voices program, Jacob is speaking out to help others understand how gambling creeps in quietly - and why winning can be the most dangerous part.
🎙️ Watch on The AddictedRecovery Show with Daniel and Jacob
Here’s to a Safer 2026 - Together We Can End Gambling Harm
The Alliance
1 Jan 2026
As we welcome 2026, The Alliance thanks every supporter, advocate and community member who stood with us this year. Your voices, donations and determination have helped shine a light on gambling harm and drive real change.
In the year ahead, we’ll keep fighting for stronger protections, safer communities and a future free from the damage caused by harmful gambling products.
Let’s make 2026 the year we tip the balance.
The odds are stacked against our kids
The Alliance
4 May 2026
Gambling companies are designing products to exploit how our brains work - and our children are paying the price. The government’s reforms won’t begin until 2027, don’t ban online ads, and fall far short of what evidence shows is needed.
There’s still time. The Senate hasn’t voted yet, and stronger laws are possible - but only with public pressure.
Weak Reforms Won’t Cut It
The Age
6 Apr 2026
When it comes to tackling harm, small changes aren’t enough. This analysis highlights a growing concern: governments risk looking weak when they delay or water down reform.
It points to gambling policy directly: “similar to Labor’s recent gambling changes: surprisingly small for something that has taken so long. Something that fails to convince voters it is really committed to fixing the problem.”
That’s the issue. Minimal action won’t reduce gambling harm or protect communities.
The Alliance is calling for meaningful reform - not half measures.
The government has made a move on gambling ads — but it’s only a partial step.
94.7 The Pulse Radio
14 Apr 2026
With the legislation still to pass Parliament, there’s a critical window to strengthen it.
“There is now a really golden opportunity to strengthen these reforms.”
Martin Thomas, CEO of the Alliance for Gambling Reform, told Rob Cameron on Sports Fix on 94.7 The Pulse Radio.
Now is the time to get it right.
Two Teachers Making a Difference on Gambling Harm
Gambling Education Australia
9 Apr 2026
Haydn and Matthew are on the front line in schools, delivering powerful seminars to help young people understand and prevent gambling harm.
As Health Education teachers, they’re passionate about early intervention and equipping students with practical strategies - reflected in feedback showing 80% leave feeling better prepared to protect themselves.
“This is a powerful and much needed conversation. Education like this plays a vital role in helping young people be aware of the predatory nature of gambling. I’d also like to see meaningful reform in this area to reduce the burden placed on them.” said one supporter.
By also engaging parents and sharing their knowledge, their work is building a stronger, informed community ready to push back against harm.
Book a session or find out more.
A new NT bill to reform Australia’s de facto online gambling regulator is facing strong criticism
ABC
7 Apr 2026
Despite overseeing 52 online gambling companies, the regulator has no full-time staff and has faced allegations of conflicts of interest and delayed complaint handling.
The Alliance warns the reform falls short, stating: "the … bill reads not as a serious reform agenda, but as a damage-control exercise - introduced after national scrutiny exposed a regulator that is part-time, under-resourced and structurally unsuited to the role it performs."
Stronger, independent oversight is urgently needed to reduce gambling harm.
A Small Step on Gambling, A Big Gap Remains
ABC
5 Apr 2026
The government’s gambling ad reforms were quietly buried in the bottom half of a major announcement - raising serious questions about priorities and transparency.
While some restrictions may reduce children’s exposure, the reality is Australians are still losing billions every year and gambling harm continues at scale.
Incremental change won’t match the scale of harm. Australians deserve stronger action.
Parents shouldn’t be forced to “opt out” of gambling ads to protect their kids.
The Alliance
2 Apr 2026
The Alliance for Gambling Reform says the proposed system shifts responsibility onto families, instead of the gambling companies and platforms profiting from these ads.
As Tim Costello puts it: “Not a single parent would opt in to their kids seeing gambling ads.”
1000 Days. 1,000 Reasons to Act
The Alliance
24 Mar 2026
In 2023, the Australian government received a detailed plan to reduce gambling harm. 1,000 days later, not one recommendation has been acted on.
Australians are speaking up.
From protecting kids from gambling ads, to families impacted by gambling harm, to the simple belief that things should be better - the reasons for reform are everywhere.
Visit our website to read what some people are saying and to add your reason.
Join #1000days1000reasons.
Kids will be harmed if cricket ramps up its gambling sponsorship
The Alliance
19 Mar 2026
The Alliance for Gambling Reform is urging Australian cricket not to significantly boost its wagering product fees, as the major football codes have, warning it will have devastating impacts on children. The chief advocate of the Alliance, Tim Costello, said it was deeply disturbing that cricket was considering dramatically boosting its links to big gambling.
The warning follows media reports that Cricket Australia is considering options, such as boosting its wagering revenue, to help fund its revenue shortfall.
SMH also wrote on the topic: https://www.smh.com.au/sport/cricket/sell-off-the-bbl-or-sell-out-to-sports-betting-cricket-s-huge-call-20260318-p5p01x.html
Footy’s Back - And So Are the Gambling Ads
Community Directors
11 Mar 2026
As the AFL and NRL seasons kick off, Australians are once again facing a flood of gambling advertising across TV, social media and stadiums. 📺📱🏟️
The Alliance CEO Martin Thomas warns the saturation is harming young people and normalising gambling for kids.
“I think we are being slowly cooked alive by gambling ads,” Martin Thomas told the Community Advocate.
Research shows hundreds of thousands of teenagers are already gambling each year, with online platforms targeting young audiences and making it harder to walk away.
Australians overwhelmingly support stronger restrictions. It’s time for action.
$871,000 Stolen - And the Bookmaker Keeps the Proceeds of Crime
A Current Affair
3 Mar 2026
Kym Cavigan’s accountant stole $871,000 of her life savings and gambled it with Sportsbet.
Kym does not hate the man who took her money. She believes he was also harmed by an industry that uses VIP agents, bonus bets and incentives to keep people gambling.
The accountant, who is now in jail, is supporting Kym as she takes Sportsbet to court to recover the stolen money.
Alliance Chief Advocate Tim Costello says: “Proceeds of crime should be clawed back from the ultimate company who's got those proceeds, which is the sports betting companies, That's what we do with other proceeds of crime.”
Building Healthier Sporting Clubs - Tackling Gambling Harm Head On
The Alliance
20 Feb 2026
Community sport should be about teamwork, health and belonging - not gambling harm.
On 23 February 2026 in West Footscray, Reverend Tim Costello AO and Alliance Voices Advocate Mark Kempster will join the Building Healthier Sporting Clubs Forum to share practical tools to prevent gambling and alcohol harm in local clubs.
From recognising what gambling harm looks like, to exploring healthier sponsorship and funding options, this forum empowers clubs to protect their players, families and communities.
SBS Lets Viewers Opt Out of Gambling Ads
SBS
10 Feb 2026
SBS On Demand has finalised a world-first feature allowing viewers to opt out of gambling advertising, alongside alcohol and fast food promotions. It marks a significant step in giving Australians more control over the ads they see.
SBS Acting Managing Director Jane Palfreyman said: “Our opt out feature has moved from a pioneering trial to a permanent and seamless part of the SBS On Demand experience – because Australians told us they want more control over the ads they see.”
Giving audiences the power to block gambling ads helps reduce exposure to gambling harm. But stronger national protections are still urgently needed.
Labor MPs demand urgent action on gambling ad ban
The Guardian
2 Feb 2026
Frustration is growing inside Labor as MPs push Minister Anika Wells to act on gambling ad reforms. Despite public support and 949 days since the Murphy Report, there's still no government response. Labor MP Jerome Laxale says gambling reform is “unfinished business for this government” and adds: “We owe it to the communities impacted every day by gambling harm to keep this issue on the national agenda and deliver real change.”
It's time for leadership, not delay.
A Time for Bravery - What Happens When Australians Choose Courage? We’re living through a moment that demands bold action - against inequality, fossil fuel dependence and deepening threats to democracy. A powerful new book, A Time for Bravery, edited by Anna Chang and Alice Grundy, asks: what does courage look like in Australia today?
The Australia Institute
26 Jan 2026
With contributions from politicians, advocates, academics and more - including The Alliance’s own Tim Costello AO - this collection reminds us that change begins with brave choices.
Tim writes: “It takes bravery to stand up to a ruthless and predatory multi-billion industry, particularly when it is backed by media and politicians. It takes bravery because so many are against you.”
“The machines are the vampires” - Carol’s fight to reclaim her life
Michael West Media
21 Jan 2026
After 18 years of gambling harm from poker machines, Carol, a Queensland mother and Royal Australian Air Force veteran, found herself drowning in debt and shame. In her journal, she wrote: “I feel like I am a vampire pulling the blood, the money, from the machines. But then I realised – the machines are the vampires pulling the blood from me.”
Like Carol, too many Australians are struggling in silence. Shame stops people from seeking help, even as debt mounts and lives unravel.
We must break the stigma and push for stronger protections from gambling harm.
Gambling ads cause harm – the evidence is in (and has been for ages)
The Alliance
7 Jan 2026
Research shows a direct link between gambling ads and harm. When people opted out of marketing:
📉 23% fewer bets
💸 39% less money spent
🛑 67% fewer short-term harms
We don’t need more research - we need action. Donate now to help end gambling ads and reduce harm.
Record-Breaking Pokies Losses in NSW: $2.45 Billion in Just 3 Months
news.com.au
5 Jan 2026
NSW has hit a devastating new record - $2.45 billion lost to poker machines in just 92 days. The hardest-hit areas? Communities already facing housing stress and financial hardship, like Canterbury-Bankstown, Fairfield and Cumberland.
Rev Stu Cameron says plainly: “The evidence is crystal clear - shutting poker machines down for longer saves lives, protects families, and reduces harm.”
This is not a small issue - it's a public health crisis. It's time for real political courage.
“Rewards clubs” or gambling by another name?
ABC News
1 May 2026
Over 80 “rewards clubs” in Australia are operating in a regulatory grey zone - offering luxury prizes while avoiding basic gambling safeguards like age checks, limits, and self-exclusion.
Experts warn the model is causing real gambling harm, especially as people chase life-changing wins to cover debts or medical costs.
“It’s just become gambling,” said Andreas Fung.
“Users may have no transparency about net losses… and no access to self-exclusion,” warned Kei Sakata.
Stronger regulation is urgently needed to protect consumers.
Unpacking the PM’s Gambling Reform: Using Your Voice to Shape What’s Next
The Alliance
24 Apr 2026
The Prime Minister has announced new gambling reforms — but what do they really mean, and are they enough?
Join the Alliance for Gambling Reform for a public webinar unpacking what’s been announced, the progress made, and the gaps that remain. Hear from Alliance CEO Martin Thomas, Chief Advocate Rev. Tim Costello, and lived‑experience speaker Mark Kempster as they explore:
- What’s been announced: the wins and the gaps
- What the reforms mean for communities
- How you can get involved and use your voice to fight for greater protections
Date: 28 April 2026
Time: 12:30pm - 1:15pm (AEST)
0.8% Cut - A Missed Opportunity on Gambling Harm
The Guardian
8 Apr 2026
New analysis shows the government’s gambling ad restrictions will cut spending by just 0.8% - a minimal dent in a system causing widespread gambling harm. Even the government’s own report admits a stronger approach would do more.
“while a full ban was identified to have a higher net benefit, it would also impose a significant financial burden on industry which would impact Australia’s grassroots sport and media industry”
We must ask - who is being protected here?
The community deserves bold action that prioritises people over profits.
Politics Now Examines Gambling Ad Reforms - Are They Enough?
ABC Politics Now
6 Apr 2026
ABC’s Politics Now explores the federal government’s long-awaited gambling ad reforms in depth, unpacking what’s changed - and what hasn’t.
The measures include limits on TV advertising, removal of ads from stadiums and jerseys, and steps to reduce children’s exposure. But adults will still see gambling ads, particularly online, raising concerns that harm will simply be redirected rather than reduced.
With billions lost to gambling each year, partial bans fall short of what’s needed to properly address gambling harm.
Limited reform, lasting harm
BBC
2 Apr 2026
Australia’s recently announced gambling ad reforms are a step forward - but they don’t go far enough to prevent gambling harm.
On BBC World News, The Alliance CEO Martin Thomas made the case clearly: "There shouldn't really be any advertised gambling advertising on television or online. The parliamentary inquiry which looked at this almost three years ago, suggested a full ad ban in the same way that cigarette advertising is banned. It's a legal product like gambling, but we should do everything we can to protect kids and to limit its marketing. And that's the case here. I mean, no one's suggesting in Australia that we should have three cigarette ads every hour, so we shouldn't have three gambling ads every hour."
Despite new limits, gambling ads will still appear frequently - continuing to expose children and normalise harm.
We cannot celebrate tinkering
The Guardian
30 Mar 2026
In this Guardian opinion piece, David Pocock argues Labor’s gambling reform response “falls tragically short” — warning it won’t reverse the normalisation of gambling, particularly among young people.
With Australia facing the highest per capita gambling losses in the world, Pocock says partial restrictions ignore the evidence: without a full ban on advertising, harm will continue.
He urges the public to write to their local MPs and the Prime Minister — to demand stronger, evidence-based reform.
The Hidden Harms: Gambling and Family Violence Are Linked
GambleAware
20 Mar 2026
New NSW research reveals a concerning link between gambling machines and family and domestic violence. As machine numbers increase, so do reported incidents - with evidence suggesting this relationship is causal.
Hotspots include parts of Sydney and northern NSW, while service providers warn support systems are not equipped to handle the overlap between gambling harm and violence.
Integrated services, better training, and stronger policy responses are urgently needed to protect families.
Online Keno Loophole Fuels Gambling Harm
Capital Brief
19 Mar 2026
A billion-dollar online keno market is slipping through regulatory cracks, allowing Australians to gamble up to $20,000 an hour using credit cards. Nearly 1,000 days after the Murphy inquiry, reform delays are leaving people exposed while advertising and access expand unchecked.
The report warns: “The ban does not capture keno-type lotteries, which, alongside other lottery services, are not included in the definition of ‘wagering services’ (betting on racing and sports) under the IGA”.
This loophole is accelerating gambling harm while governments stall. Strong national action is urgently needed.
4 in 5 Australians Want an Ad Break from Harmful Gambling Ads
The Alliance
4 Mar 2026
New polling shows overwhelming for curbing gambling, alcohol and unhealthy food advertising. More than 130 organisations are calling on the Federal Government to introduce a Harmful Products Marketing Act to protect children from relentless exposure.
Alliance CEO Martin Thomas warns:
“Gambling losses in Australia, which are the world’s highest per capita, not only have a financial impact but unleash immense social harm each day across our communities.”
It is time to put community wellbeing before industry profits and give Australians a real ad break. Help us keep pushing for reform.
“We are literally saturated. Sadly, gambling companies now even own our kids."
ABC RN
26 Feb 2026
"Eighty per cent of kids know the odds, jingles, and logos of sports betting companies and can identify them. In fact, 900,000 under-18s gambled last year - nearly one in three. More kids were betting on sport than played soccer and basketball combined.”
On RN Breakfast, The Alliance’s Chief Advocate Tim Costello laid bare the scale of gambling harm in Australia.
This is not accidental. It’s the result of relentless promotion and political inaction.
We need urgent reform to protect children and reduce gambling harm.
Support The Alliance’s fight for change. Tell your MP what you think:
Fast Codes, Fast Losses - Online Gambling Under Fire
ABC 7.30
16 Feb 2026
Australians lose nearly $30 billion a year to gambling - with billions flowing through online live gambling. Now, class actions against Sportsbet and Entain allege that "fast code" in-play gambling may breach the Interactive Gambling Act.
Alliance Voices Advocate Mark Kempster warns: "It's much harder to try and control yourself when you're watching something and you have the adrenaline of a live game in front of you or a live event in front of you to bet on." Watch it on #ABCIVIEW (Monday 16/2/2026).
A new form of gambling harm is rising in America - Australia must keep it out
Crikey
6 Feb 2026
A new form of gambling harm is emerging through so-called ‘prediction markets’ that let people gamble on elections, wars, disasters and sporting events using crypto. In the United States, these platforms are booming under lighter regulation and are increasingly mainstream.
Australia has taken an important stand by ruling these services are gambling and blocking access. This decision helps protect Australians from another dangerous and fast-growing form of gambling harm.
We must stay vigilant to keep these platforms out of Australia. Support strong regulation and public interest reform.
The company was told a gambler was banned. A new account was opened minutes later.
Sydney Morning Herald
29 Jan 2026
Picklebet let a self-excluded person open a new gambling account just two minutes after being told they were banned. It’s one of six companies, including Tabcorp, found by ACMA to have breached self-exclusion rules.
ACMA’s Carolyn Lidgerwood said: “Self-exclusion only works if wagering providers follow the rules.”
This isn’t a system flaw - it’s a failure of regulation. People experiencing gambling harm deserve real protection.
We need tougher legislation - not more industry excuses.
Let’s make pokies-free venues the norm, not the exception
ABC News
23 Jan 2026
When Mitch Crum removed the last of five pokies from his Sydney pub, he expected relief - instead, he faced months of red tape, confusion and unexpected costs.
Voices Advocate Mark wishes it were easier, and is calling out the broader impact of pokies in our communities: "When I organise a social outing, I look for a venue without poker machines. Why should my friends, family, or their kids be exposed to a product designed to exploit them?
Every time a child sees gambling normalised, the trap is set a little deeper - and that's exactly what these companies are counting on. We wouldn't let our kids watch us smoke. Why do we let them watch us gamble?" It's time to support venues that want out.
Gambling Took Everything - Recovery Brought Back Hope
The AddictedRecovery Show
13 Jan 2026
"I like myself." Jacob’s powerful words mark the turning point in a story of gambling harm. In Part 2 of The AddictedRecovery Show, Jacob shares how gambling took everything - his money, his relationships, his identity - and how recovery helped him slowly rebuild his life and self-worth.
His story shows life does get better. Jacob is now an advocate with The Alliance Voices for Gambling Reform.
Countries are outlawing online gambling ads. Meta is selling them anyway
Rest of World
6 Jan 2026
A Rest of World analysis uncovered that Meta is ignoring gambling ad bans in at least 13 countries, including India, Malaysia and the Philippines. In December alone, 140 illegal ads ran in India, while nearly 1,000 appeared in other countries with gambling ad restrictions.
Despite claiming to ban such content in 18 “unsupported markets,” Meta continues to profit.
Malaysia’s Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil put it plainly: “If a gambling ad is paid for using a credit card, and Facebook knows this content is illegal in Malaysia, they should block the credit card account used. But Facebook has refused to do so.”
Tasmania's Gambling Report: Buried Over a Long Weekend
The Mercury
1 Feb 2026
Our advocate Mark Kempster has penned a powerful piece on the Tasmanian Government's handling of the Deloitte report into poker machines - released quietly before the Australia Day long weekend, with its recommendations ignored.
The report backed the "gold standard" in harm reduction: cashless pre-commitment cards that could cut gambling harm by a third and boost the economy by $230 million. So why the silence?
As Mark writes: "The gambling industry is a silent, powerful and insidious influence on our parliaments across Australia. They routinely donate more to the major political parties, they employ more lobbyists, and they 'entertain' more politicians than any other sector."
With Australians losing $32 billion to gambling every year and 600,000 underage teenagers now gambling, the stakes couldn't be higher.
Mark's message is clear: "The only way that things will change in Tasmania and across Australia is if voters speak out and tell their MPs that they are sick of the losses and social harm gambling is doing in their communities."