Limits commercial expression
The statement of compatibility says the bill limits freedom of expression by prohibiting licensed online wagering advertising and attaching civil and criminal liability to some publications and broadcasts.
Interactive Gambling Amendment (Stop the Gambling Ads)
Current status
This bill is currently before Parliament.
Policy area
Transport & communications
What does this bill do?
The bill would amend the Interactive Gambling Act 2001The Commonwealth law that regulates online gambling services. This bill would insert a new advertising-ban part into that Act. to phase in a broad ban on advertising licensed online wagering services, including on broadcastWays of transmitting programs or data services. The bill treats these separately from publishing ads online, in print or in public places., digital and other media and in stadiums.
Why was it introduced?
Kate Chaney introduced the bill to implement the central gambling-advertising recommendation of the 2023 House committee report chaired by Peta Murphy. The explanatory memorandum says the report found saturation advertising for online gambling was contributing to gambling harm, especially for children, young people and people at risk of addiction, and that no comprehensive government response had been implemented more than 1,000 days after the report was tabled.
Broader context
The bill sits in a long-running debate about how much gambling advertising Australians, especially children and sports audiences, should see. The immediate anchor is the 2023 Murphy reportThe 2023 House committee report You win some, you lose more on online gambling harm. Its Recommendation 26 proposed a comprehensive gambling advertising ban phased in over up to three years., which recommended a comprehensive gambling-advertising ban across all media, phased in over up to three years. This bill adopts that staged model for licensed online wagering ads, but the collected parliamentary record only shows introduction and the opening of second readingThe parliamentary stage where the House debates the main purpose and principles of a bill after it has been introduced. debate in the House of Representatives.
Key criticism
The collected bill-specific speeches support the bill rather than oppose it. The main caution recorded in the official materials is the statement of compatibility's acknowledgement that the bill would limit freedom of expression by prohibiting advertising and attaching civil and criminal liability. The same statement argues that the limit is justified by public health, protection of children, targeted exceptions and phased implementation.
Who supported it?
Kate Chaney MP introduced this bill. Supportive speeches so far have come from some crossbench members.
Introduced in House 30 Mar 2026
At second reading in House 30 Mar 2026
Not yet reached Senate —
Not yet law —
Did it become law?
Not yet
Final passage
No final vote yet
The bill has not yet completed passage through Parliament.
Days since introduction
72 days
Updated 10 June 2026.
Meaning
What does this bill do?
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The bill would amend the Interactive Gambling Act 2001The Commonwealth law that regulates online gambling services. This bill would insert a new advertising-ban part into that Act. to phase in a broad ban on advertising licensed online wagering services, including on broadcastWays of transmitting programs or data services. The bill treats these separately from publishing ads online, in print or in public places., digital and other media and in stadiums.
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A licensed online wagering advertisementPromotional visual, audio or mixed material for a licensed online wagering service, including branding, trademarks, URLs and closely associated words. would be defined broadly, covering visual or audio promotion of a wagering service, its brand, trademarks, URLs or closely associated words.
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In the first 12 months after commencement, the advertising ban would start with news and current affairs programs, short commercial-radio school commute windows, and online and social media publication.
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The second and third years would add live sport, odds advertising and commentary around live sport, in-stadium advertising, and a 6:00 am to 10:00 pm broadcastWays of transmitting programs or data services. The bill treats these separately from publishing ads online, in print or in public places. and datacastWays of transmitting programs or data services. The bill treats these separately from publishing ads online, in print or in public places. ban before the full scheme applies from the third anniversary.
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The bill would create offence and civil penalty provisions for publishing, broadcasting, datacasting or authorising prohibited ads, and would bring the new rules within ACMAThe communications regulator that would be able to receive complaints, investigate alleged breaches and use enforcement tools for the new advertising rules. complaint, investigation and enforcement mechanisms.
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The bill includes targeted exceptions, including for political communication, provider websites and business documents, internal management material, anti-gambling or harm-reduction messages, some dedicated racing channels and small community radio during a two-year transition.
Show source excerpts
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amends the Interactive Gambling Act 2001 to phase-in a comprehensive prohibition of advertising of licensed interactive wagering services, including across broadcast, digital and other media, and in-stadia.
Interactive Gambling Amendment (Stop the Gambling Ads) explanatory memorandum -
any writing, still or moving picture, sign, symbol or other visual image, or any audible message ... that gives publicity to, or otherwise promotes or is intended to promote ... a licensed interactive wagering service
Interactive Gambling Amendment (Stop the Gambling Ads) introduced bill text -
In the 12 month period beginning when this Part commences ... news and current affairs programs ... 8:30 am and ending at 9:00 am ... 3:30 pm and ending at 4:00 pm ... social media service or on an online content service.
Interactive Gambling Amendment (Stop the Gambling Ads) introduced bill text -
Phase 2 ... prohibits: advertising during live sporting coverage; odds advertising or commentary surrounding live sport; and advertising in stadia ... Phase 3 ... broadcasting and datacasting ... is prohibited between 6:00 am and 10:00 pm ... Phase 4 ... from the third anniversary
Interactive Gambling Amendment (Stop the Gambling Ads) explanatory memorandum -
complaints may be made to the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) about alleged contraventions of new Part 7AA ... key civil penalty provisions in Part 7AA are subject to ACMA enforcement mechanisms, including: formal warnings; infringement notices; and injunctions.
Interactive Gambling Amendment (Stop the Gambling Ads) explanatory memorandum -
targeted exceptions, including: political communication ... factual business communications ... harm-reduction and anti-gambling messaging ... dedicated racing channels ... small community radio services for a period of two years after commencement.
Interactive Gambling Amendment (Stop the Gambling Ads) explanatory memorandum
Context
Broader context for this bill
The bill sits in a long-running debate about how much gambling advertising Australians, especially children and sports audiences, should see. The immediate anchor is the 2023 Murphy reportThe 2023 House committee report You win some, you lose more on online gambling harm. Its Recommendation 26 proposed a comprehensive gambling advertising ban phased in over up to three years., which recommended a comprehensive gambling-advertising ban across all media, phased in over up to three years. This bill adopts that staged model for licensed online wagering ads, but the collected parliamentary record only shows introduction and the opening of second readingThe parliamentary stage where the House debates the main purpose and principles of a bill after it has been introduced. debate in the House of Representatives.
- October 2017
Earlier rules targeted live-sport gambling ads
A Department of Communications fact sheet said the Turnbull Government would introduce further restrictions on gambling advertising during live sports programs in children's hours, reflecting concern that regular exposure could normalise gambling for children.
Department of Infrastructure gambling advertising fact sheet ↗ - 28 June 2023
Murphy reportThe 2023 House committee report You win some, you lose more on online gambling harm. Its Recommendation 26 proposed a comprehensive gambling advertising ban phased in over up to three years. called for a comprehensive ban
The House committee report You win some, you lose moreThe 2023 House committee report You win some, you lose more on online gambling harm. Its Recommendation 26 proposed a comprehensive gambling advertising ban phased in over up to three years. made 31 recommendations, including Recommendation 26 for a gambling-advertising ban across all media, phased in over up to three years.
Explanatory memorandum ↗ - 2024 to 2025
Public debate focused on delayed reforms
Collected media sources reported pressure on the government over whether it would proceed with a full online gambling advertising ban or adopt narrower restrictions.
Australian Financial Review reporting in the local source bundle ↗ - 30 Mar 2026
Private member bill introduced in the House
Kate Chaney introduced the bill in the House of Representatives and moved the second readingThe parliamentary stage where the House debates the main purpose and principles of a bill after it has been introduced. on the same day.
APH bill page and second reading speech ↗ - 30 Mar 2026
Supporters linked the bill to Murphy reportThe 2023 House committee report You win some, you lose more on online gambling harm. Its Recommendation 26 proposed a comprehensive gambling advertising ban phased in over up to three years. delay
Chaney and Wilkie argued the bill should implement the Murphy reportThe 2023 House committee report You win some, you lose more on online gambling harm. Its Recommendation 26 proposed a comprehensive gambling advertising ban phased in over up to three years.'s advertising recommendation after more than 1,000 days without comprehensive legislative action.
House second reading speeches ↗
Legislative route
How did it move through Parliament?
House Senate
Introduced 30 Mar 2026
The bill was formally presented to the chamber and read a first time, which starts its parliamentary journey.
Introduced and read a first time
Second readingThe parliamentary stage where the House debates the main purpose and principles of a bill after it has been introduced. opened 30 Mar 2026
A minister or sponsoring member moved the second readingThe parliamentary stage where the House debates the main purpose and principles of a bill after it has been introduced., opening the main debate on the bill's purpose and principles.
Second readingThe parliamentary stage where the House debates the main purpose and principles of a bill after it has been introduced. moved
Key criticism
The main case against this bill
The collected bill-specific speeches support the bill rather than oppose it. The main caution recorded in the official materials is the statement of compatibility's acknowledgement that the bill would limit freedom of expression by prohibiting advertising and attaching civil and criminal liability. The same statement argues that the limit is justified by public health, protection of children, targeted exceptions and phased implementation.
This is a source-limited account. The bundle contains the introduced bill, explanatory memorandum and two supportive House speeches, but no later debate, divisions, passed text or amendment outcomes.
Economic effects may need compensation advice
The bill would allow ACMAThe communications regulator that would be able to receive complaints, investigate alleged breaches and use enforcement tools for the new advertising rules. to make non-binding recommendations to the minister about Commonwealth compensation for economic losses caused by the new advertising restrictions.
Further sources
Votes
Recorded votes
No recorded votes have been found yet for this bill.
Parliamentary debate
Who spoke, and what they said
Start here — lead voices
Sponsor speech Supports
Kate Chaney
Kate Chaney introduced the bill and argued that gambling advertising exposes families, children and people affected by gambling harm to constant promotion.
Read in Hansard ↗ Lead non-major voice Supports
Andrew Wilkie
Andrew Wilkie seconded the bill and supported a gambling advertising ban.
Read in Hansard ↗All speeches by bloc
Minor parties and independents
2 speakers · 2 support
Minor parties and independents
2 speakers · 2 support
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Kate Chaney ★ Kate Chaney introduced the bill and argued that gambling advertising exposes families, children and people affected by gambling harm to constant promotion.
“This bill phases in a comprehensive ad ban for online gambling, over a period of three years. It is designed to ban the most high-impact ads and ad times first”
Read the full speech in Hansard ↗ -
Andrew Wilkie ★ Andrew Wilkie seconded the bill and supported a gambling advertising ban.
“I second the member for Curtin's bill ... in June 2023, when Peta Murphy handed down a unanimous cross-party report on gambling harm with 31 clear recommendations, I was hopeful.”
Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
Record
Full record
- Status
- Before Reps -- Collected from the APH bill page.
- Originating house
- House of Representatives
- Sponsor
- Kate Chaney MP -- The APH metadata lists CHANEY, Kate, MP as sponsor.
- Source coverage
- Introduced text and explanatory memorandum only for bill text -- No passed text, proposed amendments or recorded divisions were collected in the local bundle.
- 30 Mar 2026
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.
- 30 Mar 2026
House · Second reading moved
Second readingThe parliamentary stage where the House debates the main purpose and principles of a bill after it has been introduced. opened
A minister or sponsoring member moved the second readingThe parliamentary stage where the House debates the main purpose and principles of a bill after it has been introduced., opening the main debate on the bill's purpose and principles.