This bill is currently before Parliament.
Transport & communications
The bill would amend the Interactive Gambling Act 2001The federal law that regulates certain online gambling services. This bill would amend that Act. so online wageringBetting placed through online or interactive services rather than in person. services for greyhound racing are no longer excluded from that Act’s interactive gambling restrictions.
The sponsor introduced the bill because he argued that online wageringBetting placed through online or interactive services rather than in person. revenue helps sustain an industry with serious animal welfare problems. The explanatory memorandum says the bill would in effect ban online gamblingBetting placed through online or interactive services rather than in person. on greyhound racing, while delaying commencement for two years so the industry can plan for dogs affected by reduced revenue.
The bill sits at the intersection of Australia’s interactive gambling law and a long-running animal welfare campaign against greyhound racing. In the collected debate, supporters pointed to earlier inquiries, injury and euthanasia figures, falling public support, Tasmania’s planned phase-out and New Zealand’s decision to leave Australia as one of the few countries still operating legal greyhound racing, then proposed a federal online wageringBetting placed through online or interactive services rather than in person. ban as an indirect pressure point.
The collected source bundle did not include any substantive criticism of the bill. The two captured second readingThe parliamentary stage where members debate the main purpose and principles of a bill. speeches both supported it, and no proposed amendments, divisions or later debate outcomes were collected.
Andrew Wilkie MP introduced this bill. Supportive speeches so far have come from some crossbench members.
Did it become law?
Not yet
Final passage
No final vote yet
The bill has not yet completed passage through Parliament.
Days since introduction
198 days
Updated 10 June 2026.
Meaning
The bill would amend the Interactive Gambling Act 2001The federal law that regulates certain online gambling services. This bill would amend that Act. so online wageringBetting placed through online or interactive services rather than in person. services for greyhound racing are no longer excluded from that Act’s interactive gambling restrictions.
The explanatory memorandum says the practical effect would be to ban online gamblingBetting placed through online or interactive services rather than in person. on greyhound racing.
It would repeal the paragraph covering greyhound racing in subsection 8A(1) and update the wording so the section applies to either or both remaining listed racing wagering services.
If passed, the bill would start two years after Royal AssentThe final formal approval that turns a bill passed by Parliament into an Act. This bill’s proposed start date is measured from Royal Assent., which the explanatory memorandum says is intended to give the industry time to plan for affected greyhounds after reduced revenue.
The explanatory memorandum says the bill would have no financial impact and would not engage any applicable human rights or freedoms.
The Interactive Gambling Amendment (Ending Online Wagering on Greyhound Racing) Bill 2025 amends the Interactive Gambling Act 2001 to remove the exemption of greyhound racing from the list of excluded wagering services.Interactive Gambling Amendment (Ending Online Wagering on Greyhound Racing) explanatory memorandum
This bill would in effect ban online gambling on greyhound racing.Interactive Gambling Amendment (Ending Online Wagering on Greyhound Racing) explanatory memorandum
These items amend subsection 8A(1) to remove greyhound racing from the list of racing wagering services which are excluded from the Interactive Gambling Act 2001. They also make a minor change to clarify that the section now applies to either or both of the remaining listed racing services.Interactive Gambling Amendment (Ending Online Wagering on Greyhound Racing) explanatory memorandum
This clause provides for the commencement of the Act two years after it receives Royal Assent. This is to provide a reasonable timeframe for the industry to provide for the welfare of dogs which may be impacted by the reduced revenue.Interactive Gambling Amendment (Ending Online Wagering on Greyhound Racing) explanatory memorandum
The bill will have no financial impact. This bill does not engage any of the applicable rights or freedoms.Interactive Gambling Amendment (Ending Online Wagering on Greyhound Racing) explanatory memorandum
Context
The bill sits at the intersection of Australia’s interactive gambling law and a long-running animal welfare campaign against greyhound racing. In the collected debate, supporters pointed to earlier inquiries, injury and euthanasia figures, falling public support, Tasmania’s planned phase-out and New Zealand’s decision to leave Australia as one of the few countries still operating legal greyhound racing, then proposed a federal online wageringBetting placed through online or interactive services rather than in person. ban as an indirect pressure point.
NSW inquiry exposes systemic welfare failures
Sophie Scamps told the House that a 2015 New South Wales special commission of inquiry, following an ABC Four Corners expose, described systemic animal cruelty in greyhound racing, including mass killing, live baiting, racing deaths and mistreatment.
House of Representatives Hansard, Sophie Scamps second reading speech ↗Polling cited support for ending dog racing
Andrew Wilkie told the House that an October 2022 poll commissioned by GREY2K USA and the Coalition for the Protection of Greyhounds found 57% of Australians supported ending dog racing.
House of Representatives Hansard, Andrew Wilkie second reading speech ↗Supporters cite continuing welfare concerns
The debate referred to a 2024 New South Wales handover report, high track injury and death figures, and more than 1,600 greyhounds euthanised within the industry in 2024.
House of Representatives Hansard, Andrew Wilkie and Sophie Scamps second reading speeches ↗Tasmania and New Zealand add pressure
Andrew Wilkie said Tasmania had recently decided to phase out greyhound racing and that, after New Zealand’s decision, Australia would be one of only four countries maintaining a legal operating greyhound industry.
House of Representatives Hansard, Andrew Wilkie second reading speech ↗Bill targets online wageringBetting placed through online or interactive services rather than in person. revenue
The bill was introduced in the House of Representatives to remove greyhound racing from the wagering services excluded from the Interactive Gambling Act 2001The federal law that regulates certain online gambling services. This bill would amend that Act..
Interactive Gambling Amendment (Ending Online Wagering on Greyhound Racing) explanatory memorandum ↗Two-year start date leaves transition time
The explanatory memorandum says commencement would be delayed until two years after Royal AssentThe final formal approval that turns a bill passed by Parliament into an Act. This bill’s proposed start date is measured from Royal Assent. to give the industry time to provide for dogs affected by reduced revenue.
Interactive Gambling Amendment (Ending Online Wagering on Greyhound Racing) explanatory memorandum ↗Legislative route
The bill was formally presented to the chamber and read a first time, which starts its parliamentary journey.
Introduced and read a first time
A minister or sponsoring member moved the second readingThe parliamentary stage where members debate the main purpose and principles of a bill., opening the main debate on the bill's purpose and principles.
Second readingThe parliamentary stage where members debate the main purpose and principles of a bill. moved
Key criticism
The collected source bundle did not include any substantive criticism of the bill. The two captured second readingThe parliamentary stage where members debate the main purpose and principles of a bill. speeches both supported it, and no proposed amendments, divisions or later debate outcomes were collected.
This should be read as a limitation of the available source bundle, not as proof that no public criticism exists.
Further sources
Votes
No recorded votes have been found yet for this bill.
Parliamentary debate
Start here — lead voices
Andrew Wilkie supports the bill as a federal way to reduce the greyhound racing industry’s online wageringBetting placed through online or interactive services rather than in person. revenue.
Read in Hansard ↗Sophie Scamps supports the bill and seconds the motion.
Read in Hansard ↗All speeches by bloc
2 speakers · 2 support
“In effect, this would end online wagering on greyhound racing and hasten the demise of the industry. Sensibly the bill provides for a period of two years to allow the industry to adequately plan and provide for the welfare of dogs following the anticipated sharp drop in revenue.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“The industry has had 10 years to reform itself here in New South Wales, and it has failed dismally. We've heard of other examples in Tasmania and around the country. If we want to ensure that the way we treat animals reflects modern Australian values, then this outdated and cruel practice must stop.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
Record
House · Introduced and read a first time
Introduced
The bill was formally presented to the chamber and read a first time, which starts its parliamentary journey.
House · Second reading moved
Second readingThe parliamentary stage where members debate the main purpose and principles of a bill. opened
A minister or sponsoring member moved the second readingThe parliamentary stage where members debate the main purpose and principles of a bill., opening the main debate on the bill's purpose and principles.
