Despite offering a gambling “opt-out” toggle, the AFL continues to expose users to Sportsbet ads—prompting criticism that the feature is “tokenistic.” Researcher Dr Charles Livingstone slammed the toggle as “hard to find” and ineffective, while Adam Keily stated: “It’s completely disingenuous from the AFL to say that they're going to hide gambling ads from kids and vulnerable people, and then not do it.”

It’s time the AFL put people before profits—not just optics.

Australia lost $32 billion to gambling in just one year—more than the federal government spent on aged care. That’s $1500 for every adult. Yet this staggering figure was missing from the election debate. “If Labor is serious about improving economic prosperity for all Australians, reducing gambling losses has to be a part of any economic plan it puts forward.”

Research shows that gambling harm hits lower-income families hardest, especially as the cost of living surges. Alarmingly, nearly one in three children aged 12–17 is already gambling—illegally—contributing to $231 million in annual youth losses. Meanwhile, pokies outnumber ATMs, post boxes, and public toilets.

The Murphy inquiry’s call to ban gambling ads was shelved. Prime Minister Albanese promised to “do more.” It’s time he did.

This episode on ABC Radio National, presented by Sana Qadar, features experts unpacking how video games, shopping sites, and social media normalise gambling-like behaviours—especially for young people. In Australia, gambling is being embedded into everyday life. We need to push back against the industries priming the next generation for gambling harm.

Australia’s online gambling regulator has backed down—again. The Northern Territory Racing Commission quietly scrapped a vital new code of practice just weeks before it was due to begin. The reforms would have forced gambling companies like Bet365, Sportsbet and Ladbrokes to increase transparency and better protect people from gambling harm.

Why the backflip? The Commission claimed the code might cause “confusion” with possible federal reforms—reforms that still haven’t appeared nearly two years after a damning parliamentary inquiry called for a national watchdog and a ban on gambling ads.

In the meantime, gambling losses have soared to $31.5 billion.

“The entire country is being held to ransom by the Northern Territory and its ongoing lax approach to regulation, licensing and enforcement.” —Rebecca Paterson, Director of Policy at The Alliance

Former PM John Howard has slammed poker machines as a “grave social evil,” urging national action and accusing Anthony Albanese of inaction: “It looks like Albanese has gone to water... I couldn’t be more critical.” Alliance Chief Advocate Tim Costello agrees: “The states regulating is like Dracula in charge of the blood bank.” It’s time for national reform, not silence. The Alliance stands with all voices calling for urgent change.

Australia’s gambling crisis is drawing international attention. In an article by Denmark correspondent Meike Wijers, Anzac Day traditions like two-up are shown to highlight how deeply gambling is woven into Australian culture – but behind the "innocent game" lies a national crisis. Australians lose over $31 billion every year to gambling – that’s more than the government spends on aged care.

Gambling harm is linked to financial devastation, domestic violence, and even suicide. Despite strong public support for reform, successive governments have failed to stand up to the gambling industry’s influence. "Many Australian families spend more money on gambling than on their energy bills," says Alliance CEO Martin Thomas.

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