New research shows young Australians are increasingly concerned about the flood of gambling advertising in sport, with many saying it has gone too far. While 77% of Australians support a total ban on gambling ads, the federal government's proposed reforms fall short of the Murphy Review's recommendation for a comprehensive ban.

Alliance Voices Advocate Mark S said:
"When our children are saying they've had enough of gambling ads, it's time for the government to listen. Young people should be able to enjoy sport without being bombarded by messages that normalise gambling. Kids can see the problem. The question is, why can't our leaders?"

More than a dozen Coalition MPs, along with former Prime Minister John Howard and former premiers Jeff Kennett and Nick Greiner, are calling for stronger gambling laws, arguing Labor’s proposed reforms do not go far enough to reduce gambling harm.

The Alliance’s Chief Advocate Tim Costello welcomed the growing support across Parliament, saying:

“I know, because Labor members talk to me, that they want something stronger, but they’re toeing the line. We’ve known the teals and Greens view for a while, now we know the bulk of the Liberal Party’s view. The prime minister should welcome this.”

Under Labor’s draft reforms, gambling ads during live sport could still be allowed after 8.30pm.

Alliance Chief Advocate Tim Costello said the idea children all go to bed by 8.30pm in the middle of a weekend sporting event defies logic.

He said: “Imagine saying ‘we’re going to let cigarette ads start at half-time because kids should be in bed’.”

Kids deserve protection from gambling harm, not loopholes that keep exposing them to gambling ads during sport.

Max’s review of Shaun Micallef’s Going For Broke shows how gambling can be normalised through mateship, beers and a day out with friends - while the risks are pushed out of sight.

Max said, “When the presenter, Shaun, met with a group of young men it made me feel concerned at how much each bloke gambled.”

He also said, “The group of friends seemed to be having a great time with laughs and beers but may be unaware of the dangers of the possibility of getting addicted to gambling on the horses or dogs.”

We need stronger action to challenge the normalisation of gambling and protect young people from gambling harm.

Online lotteries are booming, and gambling companies are finding new ways to reach people.

This article links Sportsbet to Sportsdream Rewards, a subscription-based prize scheme reportedly hidden behind the same shell company used to secretly run the NRL’s tipping competition.

Australia already has the world’s highest gambling losses. We need stronger rules to stop gambling companies using rewards clubs, prize draws and data harvesting as back doors into people’s lives.

Australians lose $32 billion a year to gambling, the highest per-capita losses in the world. Yet despite a parliamentary inquiry recommending a full ban on online gambling advertising and strong public support for tougher action, Australia is moving towards only a partial advertising cap.

The ABC News Loop highlights concerns that powerful interests across gambling companies, sporting codes and broadcasters continue to influence the debate while Australians, including children, are exposed to gambling ads across sport and social media.

It's time for meaningful reform that puts people ahead of industry profits and reduces gambling harm.

We know that nothing good happens on a poker machine at 3am.

The evidence shows that harm escalates in the early hours – when people are tired and isolated, they are more likely to chase losses. We maintain the urgency of a shutdown on pokies from midnight-4am. 

After years of delay, the Federal Government has announced some gambling reform measures, but concerns remain about whether they go far enough to address Australia's staggering gambling losses of $32 billion a year.

The Alliance CEO Martin Thomas described Australia's gambling crisis as an “epidemic” and warned: “This [online advertising] is breeding and grooming a whole new generation of gamblers.”

The article highlights growing youth gambling participation, the influence of gambling industry donations, and ongoing calls for full implementation of the Murphy Report recommendations to reduce gambling harm.

Pressure is building on Premier Chris Minns to take stronger action on poker machines, with senior NSW Labor figures backing plans to cut machine numbers across the state. One proposal would halve poker machines over the next decade, as losses hit a record $9.3 billion in NSW in 2025.

The need for action is clear: people lost a record $9.3 billion on NSW poker machines in 2025. Voice for Gambling Reform advocate Max knows how predatory the industry is: “The artistry of poker machines is captivating. It's all designed to keep you engaged even though you're losing money.” Max knows that poker machines are designed - carefully, expensively, by teams of engineers and psychologists; to keep you sitting there for as long as possible. Max recounted that "some casinos pump pleasant fragrances through the air. Gentle music plays after small wins. The screens are built to be beautiful, to catch your eye and hold it."

Communities need reform that reduces gambling harm and puts people before poker machine profits.

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.