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.

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 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

Almost 1 in 3 Aussie teens aged 12–17 gambled last year, spending $231 million. Gambling now outranks soccer, cricket and basketball among young Australians.

We lost $31.5 billion to gambling in 2022–23—more than all of Las Vegas. Yet despite the harm, major parties ignore calls to ban gambling ads, as recommended by the bipartisan Murphy Review.

Why? The gambling industry has poured $80 million into political donations.

This election day, ask yourself: is your local candidate protecting our kids and supporting real gambling reform?

The Alliance’s latest press release, awarded Press Release of the Month by Medianet editors, exposes a shocking truth: 600,000 underage Australians are gambling. That’s enough to fill the MCG six times over. Released during the 2025 federal election campaign, it calls on all political candidates to back the 31 urgent recommendations from the Murphy Inquiry—especially a full ban on gambling ads. “This isn’t political—it’s about protecting kids,” said Alliance CEO Martin Thomas. The message is clear: protect children, not gambling profits.

🚫 End gambling ads.
🧒 Protect kids.
🗳 Demand action.

This election day, ask yourself: is your local candidate protecting our kids and supporting real gambling reform?

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 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.

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.

To read this article in English: Right Click > Translate to English.

At just 17, Dylan was a rising cricket star. Now 28, he says gambling has “destroyed my life in every way, really,” costing him $300,000, friendships, and his mental health. His habit began in school, fuelled by easy online access and peer pressure.

“Young people are subject to an absolute torrent of gambling messaging... Online is a bit of a wild, wild west — and influencers are a huge part of that."

This is the real cost of unchecked gambling advertising. It’s time for stronger regulation. This election day, ask yourself: is your local candidate protecting our kids and supporting real gambling reform?

With the election looming, the federal government is under fire for ignoring vital gambling reform championed by the late Peta Murphy—reform backed by Australians and agreed upon across party lines.

Alliance CEO Martin Thomas condemned the inaction:
“We are incredibly disappointed, as the Murphy Report was produced by one of their own. Peta Murphy courageously campaigned even in her last days with cancer. The committee handed down its report which was unanimous across all committee members across all parties. We know from polling that 76 percent of Australians want a full gambling ad ban, so it seems inconceivable that the government not only hasn’t moved on it but hasn’t officially responded to that report.”

The Murphy Report called for a phased ad ban, tougher online gambling rules, and a national regulator. Instead, political silence reigns—while gambling lobbyists operate unchecked behind closed doors.

Murphy’s legacy demands action. Ask if your local candidate supports gambling reform this election.