Australia’s Labor government is expected to announce the delay of federal reforms of gambling advertising.

Sky News Australia reported across the weekend that Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will push back the government’s proposal to ban or restrict gambling advertising until 2025.

Reports cited concerns about the impact on traditional media and sports for the delay, both of which rely heavily on revenue from gambling advertisements. 

‘Watered down’ reforms

The Labor Government has faced criticism for failing to address gambling advertising reforms, regarded as the most critical recommendation of the Murphy Report, submitted in 2023.

The Murphy Report, produced by the late Labor MP Peta Murphy, called for a blanket ban on gambling advertisements on Australian TV, however, it is expected that the Labor Government will implement a watered down version of the policy.

According to reports, the current proposals favour a ban on online gambling ads, a cap of two ads per hour on television and a ban on ads one hour before and after sporting events.

In September, following rumours that the government was set to impose an immediate ban on online gambling ads across social media sites, Albanese said: “We know that problem gambling is an issue, and we want to deal with those issues in a constructive way. 

“We’re continuing to engage with the media organisation, with sporting organisations, as well as the anti-gambling lobby. We’re engaging constructively. That’s what good governments do. They reach out and engage constructively.”

As mentioned, concerns have been raised about the impact on traditional media and sporting codes of stripping funding generated from betting companies. 

According to studies by the Australian National University (ANU), it is estimated that free-to-air networks could lose approximately $240m if the blanket ban was implemented.

Similarly, representatives from the Australian Football League (AFL) have highlighted the role gambling sponsorship plays in funding community programs. “We need a solution that ensures the sustainability of grassroots sports while addressing community concerns,” said an AFL spokesperson.

Delay sparks fury in parliament

The latest delay in actioning gambling advertising reform has sparked fury among Australia’s parliamentarians.

Coalition’s Peter Dutton branded Labor’s inaction as a “cowardly and craven capitulation”.

Green’s Spokesperson Sarah Hanson-Young added that Labor “had no excuse for failing to ban gambling ads” and accused the party of caving to the gambling industry.

The Greens have advocated for a total ban on gambling advertising across all channels, including print and online media, television and radio.  

Outside of parliament, Reverend Tim Costello who leads the Alliance for Gambling Reform stated: “Every day this government delays meaningful reform, more families are hurt. The saturation of gambling ads is driving addiction and destroying lives.”

The next available opportunity for parliament to debate the laws will be in February 2025, however, this could be delayed further if Anthony Albanese chooses to call a federal election in January, which will push parliament into caretaker mode.