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Welcome to our
JUNE
NEWSLETTER
Check out all our latest updates
6/2023
Carol Bennett
Chief Executive Officer
Message from the CEO
The Alliance for Gambling Reform is making a difference. We have seen real progress in gambling reform thanks to the tireless work and support of a growing movement for change. The last few weeks alone has seen:
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three private members bills tabled in federal parliament to ban gambling ads
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significant fines imposed on Crown Casino (to date now around $750m in total!)
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a decision by the NT government not to grant 20 additional poker machine licenses in Alice Springs with community campaigning at an all-time high
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a focus on the role of sporting codes in promoting gambling
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calls for strengthened privacy legislation to protect our kids from gambling companies collecting their data (and we join in a Digital Rights Watch campaign)
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several motions from Councils adopted at the Australian Local Government Association conference to reduce gambling harm
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a campaign by local MLA Marisa Paterson in Canberra to make a new development ‘pokies free’
And then the Guardian banned all forms of gambling advertising globally – which meant not taking an estimated millions of dollars in advertising revenue!
The Alliance supports Rebekha Sharkie MP’s private members bill to provide a comprehensive ban on gambling advertising June 2023.
Left to right: Carol Bennett, Andrew Wiilkie MP, Kate Seselja, Rebekha Sharkie MP, Senator Jacqui Lambie and Senator David Pocock
With the Federal Inquiry into online gambling and its impacts on those experiencing gambling harm due to report any time now, it’s hard to imagine a more eventful time in gambling reform.
Now is the time to demand the Federal Government expand its response to gambling harm beyond just the communications portfolio and charge the health department with a role in reducing gambling harm (just as tobacco and alcohol are). We need to highlight the public health issues caused by gambling and spearhead the development of a comprehensive national strategy that encompasses prevention, awareness and education, treatment, and research. No such strategy exists for gambling.
We cannot ignore that gambling harm is not just financial - it is social, it impacts mental health, it leads to other health issues and too often it leads to suicide.
The Alliance believes that if we fail to tackle gambling as a public health issue, we will have failed to tackle gambling harm and learn the lessons from our successful harm reduction achievements with tobacco.
The question now is, will our political leaders be up to the task of finally addressing the significant harm caused by gambling in a country that leads the world in gambling losses?
At Australian Local Government Association national conference meeting with councils dedicated to reducing gambling harm.
Join us to end gambling harm by making a regular donation of just $10 a month to support our End Gambling Ads Campaign
#End Gambling Ads hits Federal Parliament
Senator David Pocock, Kate Seselja, Carol Bennett, Rebekha Sharkie MP, Senator Jacqui Lambie and Andrew Wilkie MP
This month we saw three Private Members Bills introduced to parliament to ban the broadcasting of gambling ads: the first by Zoe Daniel MP, Leader of the Opposition Peter Dutton MP and Rebekha Sharkie MP. Dr Sophie Scamps also shared a media release which spoke to Crossbenchers' call for stronger regulations for harmful product marketing. The Alliance commends the incredible work being done by our parliamentarians putting Bills forward and elevating this incredibly important issue that the community are demanding action on!
Anthony Albanese has now admitted his annoyance with gambling ads. Treasurer Jim Chalmers also mentioned on Q&A that the government was ‘actively considering a ban’ on gambling ads.
There has been significant momentum and a shift in how politicians are talking about gambling advertisements. We are yet to see the Albanese government commit to reform but the Alliance anticipates that the national inquiry into online gambling and its impacts on those experiencing gambling harm will deliver recommendations to strengthen the current gambling advertising regulations as well as reforms on a number of fronts to address the growing harms due to online gambling in our community.
Crown Casino faces more fines
The Alliance was pleased to see the national regulator, AUSTRAC take action to redress the breaches from Crown in relation to money laundering and counter terriorism. Crown Melbourne and Perth have come to an agreement with AUSTRAC to pay a $450 million penalty. This fine has to be agreed to by the Federal Court on the 10-11th July 2023. This is the third biggest fine in Australian corporate history.
This fine is in addition to another Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission fine of Crown of $20m for improperly claiming tax deductions for promotional costs that were disguised as amounts paid out as winnings. You can find out more here.
See AUSTRAC’s Media release here
You can read AGR’s media release here
Help us #End Gambling Ads!
It’s no secret that gambling advertising has increased exponentially in recent years and this has significantly impacted how a whole generation are experiencing sport.
The Alliance recently asked our supporters how many times they would estimate seeing a gambling ad during an AFL or NRL match. 46% said up to 10 times, 45% said between 11 and 20 times, and 19% said more than 19 in a match! We perceive gambling ad numbers to be high and harmful and they are. It is time for change!
Show your support by signing the petition to help #End Gambling Ads here.
Northern Territory poker machine moratorium decision
The Northern Territory Government came to a decision to lower the cap for poker machines allowed in new venues.
While it is a good outcome as there will not be an increase in poker machine venues, this does allow for two applications at two hotels for a ‘top up’ of poker machines from 10 to 20 (which is the maximum number allowed in hotels in the NT).
The decision on these applications will be made by the NT Department over the coming weeks. The Alliance has urged the government to reject these applications based on the significant community opposition and existing community challenges facing Alice Springs.
You can read our media release here.
Proposed new mandatory minimum classifications for gambling-like content in computer games
The Alliance made a submission to the federal government on the proposed new mandatory minimum classification for gambling-like content in computer games. We advocated for significant improvements to the scheme including gambling like features and loot boxes being classified as R18+ and for phone apps with gambling like features to have harm prevention measures such as age verification. You can read the Alliance's submission here:
Guardian to end all gambling advertising globally!
The Alliance is delighted to see the leadership being show by the Guardian, who have announced a global ban on all forms of gambling advertising citing “it is unethical to take money from services that can lead to “addiction and financial ruin”.
You can read the full story here
This decision is a watershed moment, applying to all of their online, audio, video, and print mediums. We look forward to seeing other media follow suit.
Alliance calls for major privacy overhaul alongside Digital Rights Watch
The Alliance has joined Digital Rights Watch and a number of partner organisations in a letter to the Attorney General, the Hon Mark Dreyfus KC MP, Minister for Social Services the Hon Amanda Rishworth MP and Minister for Communications, the Hon Michelle Rowland MP to call for bold reform to the Privacy Act to protect children and all of us from harmful data-driven business practices.
The Alliance has also provided a submission to the review.
Help us to
End Gambling Ads
When it comes to gambling reform in Australia, the last 12 months has seen a real shift in attitude and interest, but the next twelve months are pivotal.
Some key progress includes the imminent release of the federal government's report and recommendations from the inquiry into online gambling and its impacts on those experiencing gambling harm, Crown Melbourne oversight by the Office of the Special Manager coming to an end and the continued implementation of the NSW Government’s election promises.
There has never been stronger community and political support for a ban on gambling ads and the exploitative nature of the poker machine industry is finally being scrutinised.
We have never been so close to reforms that will change how gambling impacts our communities.
You can join us and make a difference to the kind of communities our children and grandchildren will grow up in.
Will you donate to the Alliance for Gambling Reform this end of the financial year?
As always, thank you for supporting our work to make Australia a safer and fairer nation.
If you wish to make a donation via bank transfer
Alliance For Gambling Reform Inc
Bank Australia
BSB: 313-140
Account Number: 12137211
Have your Say on Gambling Harm Reduction in Victoria
The Victorian Government is currently holding a new inquiry and is inviting public input on liquor licensing, compliance, and gambling harm.
The Public Accounts and Estimates Committee is also looking into online gambling applications- not just Crown Melbourne.
You can provide your comments to the Alliance (info@agr.org.au) or make your own public submission by Friday 7 July 2023.
The Alliance’s Online Gambling Policy
Focus on
Local Government in
gambling harm reduction
Every year delegates from councils from around Australia gather in Canberra for the National General Assembly. This year was a wonderful opportunity to catch up with so many of our passionate Leadership Councils and Councillors. We had great discussions about how we can work together to ensure gambling harm is approached as a public health issue in Australia.
The importance of preventing gambling harm to the local government sector in Australia was evident through motions raised by Manningham Council and Brimbank Council which tackled gambling advertising, the ownership of poker machines by political parties, removal of DGR status by charities that own or operate gambling entities, a buy-back scheme for machine licenses and the establishment of a national regulator for all gambling.
Regardless of who we spoke to, whichever state or territory they were from - rural, regional or metropolitan, gambling is sadly an issue in their community, and one they feel has been left to run rampant.
Thanks to the Local Government sector from around Australia for standing up for their communities on this and so many other issues – as the level of government closest to the community your input and efforts on preventing gambling harm are critical to our shared success.
Voices
for Gambling Reform
The month of May began with a bang at the Public Health Conference in Adelaide on Gambling Harm.
This was an important event to help close the gap and have gambling harm properly recognised as the public health crisis that it is. It brought together many of our lived experience voices, together with researchers, media, health and political perspectives, to highlight the many aspects of gambling harm.
As Voices Manager, Kate Seselja attended the Community Council for Australia AGM and was able to ask Minister Leigh about how gambling harm would be addressed as part of the federal government’s wellbeing budget.
Several voices have been in the media and will be featured in the coming weeks on various platforms.
There is never a dull moment and several new voices have emerged with inspiring ideas of how to creatively address gambling harm awareness, so watch this space in the coming months.
Kate Seselja, Carol Bennett, Amanda Power (Board member), and Nick Nguyen attending a meeting at Parliament House Canberra
Media Releases
6 June 2023
NT must stop applications for more poker machines - ‘Modest’ lowering of poker machine cap welcomed
2 June 2023
Australia’s online gambling laws among the weakest in the world - Industry exploiting weak laws to groom children for a life of gambling
30 May 2023 $450m Crown fine would fund 10 years of gambling harm reduction - AUSTRAC action underscores need for a national gambling regulator
22 May 2023
Bill to ban gambling ads on broadcasting platforms applauded - But ban must also be extended to ban social media platforms
12 May 2023
Dutton puts sports gambling advertising crisis in the national spotlight - Both parties must move toward a total ban to protect our kids
2 May 2023
Urgent national action critical to combat gambling harm
1 May 2023
Only total ban on gambling advertising will protect our children
28 April 2023
Banning use of credit online gambling welcomed, but more needs to be done to tackle Australia’s gambling epidemic
26 April 2023
Protecting the vulnerable and ensuring outcomes: why standards are important for alcohol and other drug and gambling services
16 April 2023
Pressure for gambling reform now greater than ever in our history - Australians furious at the tsunami of betting ads swamping our screens
Opinion Pieces
My gambling addiction almost killed me. This government is trying to kill my hope, too.
Perceived Pressure
Mark Kempster, Alliance for Gambling Reform
7 Apr 2026
The Albanese Government has ignored the Murphy report's key recommendations - and it'll cost lives.
“Hope is a dangerous thing. Hope can drive a man insane.”
A thousand days of inaction on gambling reform
The Saturday Paper
Tim Costello, Chief Advocate, Alliance for Gambling Reform
28 Mar 2026
This coming Tuesday, March 24, it will be a thousand days since the Murphy report into online gambling was delivered to government. The report contained 31 recommendations, including a ban on gambling ads and inducements and the creation of a national gambling regulator.
In The News
Are we really the lucky country?
ABC
19 May 2026
We’re excited for the launch of Shaun Micallef’s three-part series Shaun Micallef’s Going For Broke, exploring why Australians are the world’s biggest gamblers and how the odds are stacked against the next generation.
Watch as Shaun asks the question: “are we really the lucky country?”
We want to hear your comments on the program, which you can watch on ABC iview at 8pm tonight.
A timid response to a national crisis
ABC News
16 May 2026
The Albanese Government had a chance to deliver real reform on gambling harm - but this proposal leaves dangerous gaps.
Tim Costello said the Prime Minister’s recommendation is “only a half-measure, a timid response”, warning it does not solve the urgent need to protect children from gambling advertising.
Mark Kempster also warned that without a national regulator, a ban on inducements and a full advertising ban, the proposal gives the gambling industry “a free kick” to keep targeting Australians.
Families and communities need stronger action, not weak compromises. The Alliance is calling for reforms that put public health ahead of gambling industry profits.
Albanese Government presents a timid gambling reform package after years of delay
The Point
15 May 2026
The Albanese Government officially responded to the Murphy Review of online gambling in the shadows of the Federal Budget.
In a move some described as ‘cowardly’ and ‘strange’, the report on the government’s proposed gambling reforms was tabled while journalists were literally locked up (in the pre-Budget lockup).
It reflects the ambiguity of a government that hails its gambling reforms as ground-breaking but appears determined to avoid scrutiny.
In the same way the Prime Minister detailed the proposed changes at the National Press Club in a speech (given the day before Good Friday) that was dominated by the implications of war in the Middle East.
“Half measures” won’t protect kids
Hope Mornings 103.2
19 May 2026
Tim appeared on Hope Mornings 103.2 to call out the Federal Government’s response to gambling reform as “timid” and “half measures”.
“The government has squibbed a regulator. The government has squibbed a full ban on ads. The government has squibbed the banning of inducements.”
Cutting gambling ads from 8 an hour to 3 does not go far enough. The Alliance is calling for a full ban on gambling ads, a national regulator and stronger protections from inducements.
Donate to The Alliance today to help stop gambling harm.
Labor’s Halfhearted Gambling Harm Response Falls Short
The Age
16 May 2026
Kyle Hudson was just 22 when he died by suicide after experiencing devastating gambling harm. The court heard online gambling companies contacted him hundreds of times before his death, and that his gambling activity triggered internal alert systems.
The federal response to the Murphy report fails to deliver the urgent reforms Australians need. There will be no national online gambling regulator, no comprehensive gambling advertising ban, and no action on inducements.
Alliance CEO Martin Thomas says Australians lose $31.5 billion every year - the highest per person in the world.
“The reason why we have such a huge problem here is because we have some of the laxest gambling legislation in the world,” he says.
The government must honour Peta Murphy’s work and protect families from gambling harm.
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