The House of Representatives committee on social policy and legal affairs inquiry into online gambling and its impacts on problem gamblers has released a report with 31 recommendations for reforming the gambling sector in Australia. If implemented, these measures would lead to a complete overhaul of the country’s regulatory regime for online gambling.
One of the key proposals is a comprehensive ban on all gambling advertising, both on broadcast media and online, with no loopholes allowed. The committee strongly criticized the extensive promotion of online gambling in Australia, stating that it is designed to target and influence vulnerable individuals, including children and young people.
The Australian Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, has stated that the government will carefully consider the committee’s recommendations before making any decisions.
Responsible Wagering Australia (RWA), a trade body representing major gambling operators in the country, has voiced its concerns about a blanket ban on advertising, viewing it as an excessive measure. RWA calls for a more balanced approach and emphasizes that strict bans often prove ineffective, leading Australians to seek alternative, unauthorized gambling options.
In addition to the advertising ban, the committee has suggested a range of other significant changes to the online gambling landscape in Australia:
- Moving regulation and licensing to the federal level, while still allowing states to levy consumption taxes on online gambling.
- Appointing a single government minister to oversee the development of a national strategy for reducing harm caused by online gambling.
- Establishing an online gambling ombudsman.
- Launching a public education campaign on the risks and harms associated with online gambling.
- Implementing a harm reduction levy on all online operators.
- Taking action against unlicensed gambling operators.
- Strengthening consumer protection measures for online gambling.
- Introducing new know your customer (KYC) requirements for gaming operators.
- Prohibiting the use of inducements by gambling businesses.
- Enacting legislation to establish a duty of care for gambling businesses.
The committee highlighted the weak and fragmented nature of Australia’s regulatory framework, which places too much responsibility on individuals rather than the gambling operators themselves. In 2022, online gambling operators in Australia contributed AUD 1.60 billion in taxes, while a survey by the Australia Institute revealed that 71% of Australians supported a ban on gambling advertisements on television.
