Australia’s gambling reform bill amendments and opt-out register compromise
Consensus Summary
Australia’s Labor government and the Coalition have reached a tentative deal on gambling reforms, including a single opt-out register for wagering ads administered by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA). The register, modeled after the 'do not call' system, aims to simplify opting out of gambling ads online, though it falls short of calls for a full ban or an opt-in model. Both sources confirm the reforms restrict inducements and crack down on commissions for VIP account managers, aligning with recommendations from Peta Murphy’s 2023 parliamentary report. The ABC reports the Coalition will support the bill, while the Guardian notes the opposition has not yet publicly committed. A Senate inquiry into the bill is scheduled for Monday afternoon, with Labor hoping to pass the reforms by the end of this week or Thursday, depending on the source. The government’s third bill introduces a levy on gambling companies to fund the register, addressing concerns about implementation costs.
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Key details reported by multiple sources:
- A Senate inquiry into the government’s gambling bill will be tabled on Monday afternoon
- Labor’s initial bill stopped short of enacting a full ban on wagering ads online, as recommended by Peta Murphy’s landmark 2023 parliamentary report
- The government’s gambling reforms include a single opt-out register for wagering ads, administered by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA)
- The opt-out register is modeled after the existing 'do not call' register for telemarketing
- The government’s reforms aim to restrict inducements targeting vulnerable gamblers and crack down on spending-based commissions for VIP account managers
- A short two-day inquiry into the government’s gambling legislation was held earlier this month
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Opposition Leader Angus Taylor met several times to negotiate the gambling laws, with Labor seeking to pass them by the end of this week
- A report from the two-day inquiry recommended the bills be passed, with independent ACT senator David Pocock dissenting and calling for full implementation of Peta Murphy’s 2023 report recommendations
- The ABC reported last year that Sportsbet and Tabcorp had already stopped the practice of commissions for VIP account managers based on client spending
- Liberal MP Simon Kennedy used a speech in parliament last week to back an independent review mechanism for the laws
- The Greens provided a dissenting report arguing for a complete ban on online gambling ads, a national regulator, and an end to inducements
- The government’s gambling reforms are expected to proceed quickly through parliament this week, with Labor hoping the changes pass both houses before the end of Thursday
- The Coalition has not yet publicly committed to supporting the gambling package
- The government’s third bill introduces a levy on gambling companies to fund the opt-out register, with costs borne by the wagering industry rather than taxpayers
- Gambling harm advocates criticized the 'triple lock' system for online ads as ineffective, noting that existing opt-out features are often hard to find
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- The ABC states the deal will go to Labor's caucus and the Coalition's party room for final approval tomorrow, while the Guardian says further amendments are likely to be outlined tomorrow but does not mention final approval timing
- The ABC says the Coalition will back Labor's gambling law reforms after reaching a deal, while the Guardian states the Coalition has not yet publicly committed to supporting the package
Source Articles
Labor secures Coalition support for gambling reforms
Labor and the Coalition have agreed to establish a single register that would allow Australians to opt out of wagering ads across online platforms, as part of a tentative deal to pass gambling reforms.
Labor pledges opt-out register for online gambling ads akin to Do Not Call register for spam calls
The new measure falls short of calls for gambling ads to move to an opt-in model, or for an outright ban Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast The Labor government has pledged a new single-service opt-out register for gambling ads – an idea similar to the Do Not Call register for spam calls – as part of amendments to its wagering ad bill, as well as restrictions on inducements and limiting commissions for agents. The c