This year marks 10 years since the creation of the Alliance for Gambling Reform.

Back then a group of concerned individuals and organisations acted because of concerns about the harm poker machines were doing in Victoria.

Today, the Alliance has a focus on federal, state and territory gambling policy covering online gambling, poker machines and the operations of casinos across Australia.

While there have been many victories during these 10 years, perhaps the most profound impact that the Alliance has contributed to is the overwhelming public awareness of the harm gambling causes.

It’s most evident in surveys that say, at least, 72% of Australians want all gambling ads banned. It is a backlash fueled by weak regulation that allows one million gambling ads on our screens each year.

There is also a growing body of research that shows how damaging gambling is – not only is there a financial impact of the $32 billion in annual gambling losses, but there are profound health and mental health issues, it exacerbates domestic violence, and researchers warn it could be contributing to one in every five suicides.  

In the first half of this year, we will have a federal election. It is a crucial time for your voice to be heard. Australia is the biggest loser in the world in terms of gambling losses – and this is due to our lax government regulation.  

We will do all we can to ensure candidates across the political spectrum commit to much overdue gambling reform as outlined in the report by the Murphy parliamentary inquiry.  

Of course, the Alliance intends to keep up the fight for gambling reform for as long as it takes.  

Very recently we have seen some change, the recent announcement by the Victorian Government that it will implement a mandatory cashless card for poker machines in pubs and clubs is a major breakthrough. 

Unfortunately, the Tasmanian Government has delayed its decision to move in this direction with the government caving to the gambling industry’s power. We need to maintain the pressure for change.  

In the lead up to the federal election make your voice heard and help us to maintain the pressure on all political parties for gambling reform – this year and in the years to come.  

Thank you so much for your support – we could not have achieved what we have without you. 

Let's hope 2025 is a year of change - so we can protect our kids against gambling ads, take back our sports from gambling ads and protect our society from the harm that gambling wreaks on our communities. 

And please check out our new homepage, if you haven’t already take the time to sign the petition to end gambling adds, take the survey on gambling and its impact on our kids and follow all the latest news as together we fight to protect Australia from gambling harm.  

You can catch up on all the latest news stories here, and our recent media releases are listed below.

Media Releases:

• Tasmanian poker machine backflip ‘a capitulation’ 

• Open Letter urges Tasmanian Premier to resist opposition to pre-commitment gambling card reforms 

• Nine Entertainment AGM, Nine must end its gambling ad addiction 

• Gambling industry showering our politicians in gifts