This bill became law on Aug 26th, 2026.
Transport & communications
Sports viewers will not see wageringBetting money on an event or result. ads during live coverage from 5 am to 8.30 pm.
The government said gambling ads had become constant, especially around children's programs and live sport. Australians lost about $32.2 billion through legal gambling in 2023–24, or about $1,521 each. That was around 26 per cent more than the $25.6 billion lost in 2018–19. Minister Anika Wells (Labor) also said more than 1,700 illegal gambling websites had been blocked since 2019, but the existing response was too slow.
Australia already had wageringBetting money on an event or result.-ad restrictions, the Interactive Gambling Act 2001, illegal-operator enforcement tools and BetStopA register blocking someone from licensed online and telephone betting., but gambling losses reached $32.2 billion in 2023–24, advertising remained widespread, and rapid action against illegal services was difficult. A February 2026 BetStopA register blocking someone from licensed online and telephone betting. review and the Government’s 2 April reform announcement were followed by stakeholder consultation, then Anika Wells MP introduced the bill to reduce children’s exposure, disrupt illegal operators, strengthen self-exclusion and ban online kenoA rapid online lottery with repeated number draws. and foreign matched lotteries; Parliament passed it on 19 August 2026.
Kate Chaney argued the bill failed to deliver a full phase-out of online gambling ads, a national gambling regulator or a ban on betting rewards. Elizabeth Watson-Brown argued vulnerable Australians would still face ads designed to keep them betting. Their proposed changes said the bill favoured gambling companies over community wellbeing.
Anika Wells MP introduced this bill. In the House final vote, support came from Labor, Liberal, Nationals, Liberal Party; opposition came from Community Strong Australia, Greens, Centre Alliance, some crossbench members.
Did it become law?
Yes
Became law 26 Aug 2026
Final passage
Recorded final vote
2 counted final-passage votes were recorded.
Passage speed
55 days
From introduction to the latest recorded parliamentary step
Meaning
Sports viewers will not see wageringBetting money on an event or result. ads during live coverage from 5 am to 8.30 pm. Television is otherwise capped at three ads an hour during those times.
Children and people who opt outChoose not to receive wagering advertising. will be blocked from receiving wageringBetting money on an event or result. ads online. Other users must sign in through registered accounts.
Sports participants and fans will see fewer wageringBetting money on an event or result. promotions on uniforms and at venues. Racing and existing arrangements lasting through 31 December 2031 are excluded.
Bank customers will have payments blocked when money is going to illegal online gambling operators. Digital services must also block access and advertising.
People using BetStopA register blocking someone from licensed online and telephone betting., the register that blocks them from licensed online and telephone betting, gain protection from marketing through apps and notifications.
Online gamblers will no longer be offered online kenoA rapid online lottery with repeated number draws., a rapid game that can cause losses of up to $1,000 every three minutes.
Lottery customers will no longer be offered services linked to overseas lottery draws. Product promotions posing as ordinary giveaways must meet tighter rules.
62K Prohibition on wagering advertising content during live coverage of sporting events—daytime Civil penalty provision—broadcasting or datacasting of content (1) A person contravenes this subsection if: (a) the person broadcasts or datacasts wagering advertising content in Australia; and (b) the broadcast or datacast of wagering advertising content is in conjunction with live coverage of a sporting event; and (c) the broadcast or datacast of wagering advertising content occurs at any time during the period beginning at 5:00 am and ending at 8:30 pm.Interactive Gambling Amendment (Gambling Reform) as-passed text
62H Meaning of restricted user In this Part, restricted user, in relation to an online content service, means an individual in Australia who: (a) is under 18 years of age; or (b) has not confirmed their age; or (c) is not using a registered account in relation to the online content service; or (d) has opted out from accessing or receiving wagering advertising content provided on the online content service in accordance with section 62S and the requirements (if any) specified in a determination under subsection 62P(4).Interactive Gambling Amendment (Gambling Reform) as-passed text
62V Prohibition on displaying wagering advertising content on uniforms and at sporting venues etc. Civil penalty provision—authorising or causing display of content A licensed interactive wagering service provider contravenes this section if the licensed interactive wagering service provider authorises or causes: (a) wagering advertising content to be displayed on: (i) a uniform worn by an individual in Australia who is a participant or official in connection with a sporting event or an activity related to a sporting event; or (ii) premises in connection with a sporting event or an activiInteractive Gambling Amendment (Gambling Reform) as-passed text
15J Preventing transfer of funds related to designated interactive gambling services When this section applies (1) This section applies in relation to a person who is: (a) an ADI (within the meaning of the Banking Act 1959); or (b) a participant (within the meaning of the Payment Systems (Regulation) Act 1998) in a payment system (within the meaning of that Act); but does not include a person, or a person included in a class of persons, determined by the Minister under subsection (3). Note: ADI is short for authorised deposit‑taking institution. Civil penalty provision (2) The person mInteractive Gambling Amendment (Gambling Reform) as-passed text
4 Paragraph 61GE(1)(b) After “electronic address”, insert “, identifier or endpoint”. 5 Subparagraph 61GE(1)(b)(iv) Repeal the subparagraph, substitute: (iv) a device, application or software (including by way of a push notification); or (v) any similar account, service or technology. 6 At the end of subsection 61GF(1) ; or (g) to make any other communication that is not required for the purposes of: (i) court or tribunal proceedings; orInteractive Gambling Amendment (Gambling Reform) as-passed text
foreign matched lottery means a lottery in which prizes are determined wholly or partly by reference to the outcome of a lottery conducted outside Australia. keno‑type lottery means: (a) a lottery to which all of the following apply: (i) participants select numbers from a specified range or pool; (ii) numbers are drawn at random from that range or pool; (iii) prizes are determined by reference to the extent to which selections match the outcome of the draw; (iv) the lottery is conducted in a manner that enables frequent or repeated draws within a short period; or (b) a lottery of a kindInteractive Gambling Amendment (Gambling Reform) as-passed text
(1) For the purposes of this Act, a trade promotion gambling service is a service for the conduct of a lottery, or game of chance or of mixed chance and skill, if: (a) all of the following apply: (i) the sole or primary purpose of the lottery or game is the promotion of trade; (ii) the lottery or game is incidental to the supply of goods or services by the provider of the service, or the person for whom the service is provided; (iii) entry into the lottery or game does not require the payment of any fee, other than a fee for goods or services at fair market value; (iv) participation in thInteractive Gambling Amendment (Gambling Reform) as-passed text
Context
Australia already had wageringBetting money on an event or result.-ad restrictions, the Interactive Gambling Act 2001, illegal-operator enforcement tools and BetStopA register blocking someone from licensed online and telephone betting., but gambling losses reached $32.2 billion in 2023–24, advertising remained widespread, and rapid action against illegal services was difficult. A February 2026 BetStopA register blocking someone from licensed online and telephone betting. review and the Government’s 2 April reform announcement were followed by stakeholder consultation, then Anika Wells MP introduced the bill to reduce children’s exposure, disrupt illegal operators, strengthen self-exclusion and ban online kenoA rapid online lottery with repeated number draws. and foreign matched lotteries; Parliament passed it on 19 August 2026.
Australian gambling losses reach $32.2 billion
Australians lost approximately $32.2 billion on legal gambling, with losses up about 26 per cent since 2018–19.
Interactive Gambling Amendment (Gambling Reform) explanatory memorandum ↗BetStopA register blocking someone from licensed online and telephone betting. statutory review identifies improvements
The completed review informed changes to BetStopA register blocking someone from licensed online and telephone betting.’s clarity, user experience and safety, including its coverage of newer marketing channels.
Interactive Gambling Amendment (Gambling Reform) explanatory memorandum ↗Government announces gambling reforms
The Australian Government announced reforms to break the connection between wageringBetting money on an event or result. and sport and reduce children’s and vulnerable people’s exposure to gambling advertising.
Interactive Gambling Amendment (Gambling Reform) explanatory memorandum ↗Government consults on the exposure draft
The Department consulted governments, payment providers, gambling operators, broadcasters, digital platforms, sporting organisations and harm-reduction advocates on practical implementation.
Interactive Gambling Amendment (Gambling Reform) explanatory memorandum ↗Anika Wells MP introduces the bill
Anika Wells MP introduced the bill in the House of Representatives to limit wageringBetting money on an event or result. advertising, disrupt illegal operators and reduce online gambling harms.
Parliamentary timeline ↗Senate inquiry hears betting inducementA reward intended to encourage gambling. evidence
A Senate committee heard evidence about free drugs, escorts and flights to sporting events allegedly used by betting companies to keep gambling addicts spending.
SBS News ↗Parliament passes the bill
Both houses passed the bill in the same form, completing parliamentary passage of the gambling advertising, payment-blocking, BetStopA register blocking someone from licensed online and telephone betting. and product-ban reforms.
Parliamentary timeline ↗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 reading, opening the main debate on the bill's purpose and principles.
Second reading moved
Referred to Committee (02/07/2026): Senate Environment and Communications Legislation Committee; Committee report (17/08/2026)
Report tabled 17 Aug 2026
APH bill page notesThe bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
Considered by scrutiny committee (12/08/2026): Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights; Report 9 of 2026
Report 9 of 2026
APH bill page notesConsidered by scrutiny committee (12/08/2026): Senate Standing Committee for the Scrutiny of Bills; Scrutiny Digest 9 of 2026
Scrutiny Digest 9 of 2026
APH bill page notesThe bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
The chamber considered amendments before the bill moved to the next stage.
Consideration in detail debate
Recorded vote: 103 to 14.
The chamber agreed to the bill at third reading, which completed passage through that chamber.
Third reading agreed to
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 reading, opening the main debate on the bill's purpose and principles.
Second reading moved
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
Recorded vote: 29 to 13.
The chamber agreed to the bill at second reading, meaning it accepted the bill in principle and allowed it to continue.
Second reading agreed to
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
Recorded vote: 37 to 13.
The chamber agreed to the bill at third reading, which completed passage through that chamber.
Third reading agreed to
Both houses passed the bill in the same form, completing parliamentary passage.
Finally passed both Houses
The Governor-General gave Royal Assent, turning the bill into an Act.
Key criticism
Kate Chaney argued the bill failed to deliver a full phase-out of online gambling ads, a national gambling regulator or a ban on betting rewards. Elizabeth Watson-Brown argued vulnerable Australians would still face ads designed to keep them betting. Their proposed changes said the bill favoured gambling companies over community wellbeing.
The evidence pack contains no opposition or crossbench debate speech. These criticisms come from proposed parliamentary amendments. Minister Anika Wells (Labor) said the bill would still reduce advertising, ban online kenoA rapid online lottery with repeated number draws. and protect charities and local newsagents.
Enforcement and accountability
A defeated amendment sought a national gambling regulator within six months, with stronger enforcement powers and public reporting on implementation, reflecting concern that existing arrangements could remain fragmented and insufficiently accountable.
Inducement loopholes
Unsuccessful amendments proposed a comprehensive ban on sign-up bonuses, free bets, odds boosts, cashback and loyalty incentives, indicating concern that these promotions could continue encouraging risky gambling.
No guaranteed independent review
A defeated amendment sought an independent review of whether advertising restrictions protected children and vulnerable people, reduced gambling harm or merely shifted promotion into other channels.
Further sources
Votes
The chamber-passage votes come first. Expand a vote to see the party breakdown.
Passed 103 to 14. Support came from Labor and Liberal Party. Opposition came from Community Strong Australia, Greens, Centre Alliance, and minor parties and independents. 2 cross-floor votes were recorded: Pat Conaghan (Nationals) and Andrew Wallace (Liberal). Liberal and Nationals had split recorded votes.
Passed 37 to 13. Support came from Labor, One Nation, and Nationals. Opposition came from Greens and minor parties and independents. 3 cross-floor votes were recorded: Alex Antic (Liberal), Andrew McLachlan Csc (Liberal), and Paul Scarr (Liberal). Liberal had split recorded votes.
Earlier bill-stage votes
Passed 102 to 14. Support came from Labor and Liberal Party. Opposition came from Community Strong Australia, Greens, Centre Alliance, and minor parties and independents. 2 cross-floor votes were recorded: Pat Conaghan (Nationals) and Andrew Wallace (Liberal). Liberal and Nationals had split recorded votes.
Passed 29 to 13. Support came from Labor, One Nation, and Nationals. Opposition came from Greens, Jacqui Lambie Network, and minor parties and independents. 2 cross-floor votes were recorded: Andrew McLachlan Csc (Liberal) and Paul Scarr (Liberal). Liberal had split recorded votes.
Amendments grouped by chamber. Where APH reports aggregate counts, the package card summarizes the matching public amendment sheets by source theme.
House
Defeated 12 to 85. Support came from Community Strong Australia, Greens, Centre Alliance, and minor parties and independents. Opposition came from Labor and Liberal Party.
The House rejected the proposal, allowing the bill's second-reading process to continue unchanged.
Defeated 12 to 86. Support came from Community Strong Australia, Greens, Centre Alliance, and minor parties and independents. Opposition came from Labor and Liberal Party.
The House rejected the proposal before agreeing to the bill's second reading.
Passed 96 to 9. Support came from Labor and Liberal Party. Opposition came from Community Strong Australia, Greens, and minor parties and independents. 2 cross-floor votes were recorded: Pat Conaghan (Nationals) and Andrew Wallace (Liberal). Liberal and Nationals had split recorded votes.
The House approved the package, adding its consumer and advertising protections to the bill.
Defeated 33 to 95. Support came from Liberal, Nationals, and One Nation. Opposition came from Labor, Community Strong Australia, Greens, Liberal Party, and minor parties and independents.
The House rejected the proposal, leaving the bill's prohibition on foreign matched lotteries in place.
Defeated 12 to 58. Support came from Community Strong Australia, Greens, Centre Alliance, and minor parties and independents. Opposition came from Labor and Liberal Party.
The House rejected the proposal, so the additional statutory duty of care was not added to the bill.
Defeated 12 to 61. Support came from Community Strong Australia, Greens, Centre Alliance, and minor parties and independents. Opposition came from Labor and Liberal Party.
The House rejected the proposal, leaving the bill's narrower approach to direct inducementA reward intended to encourage gambling. marketing unchanged.
Defeated 12 to 58. Support came from Community Strong Australia, Greens, Centre Alliance, and minor parties and independents. Opposition came from Labor and Liberal Party.
The House rejected the proposal and retained the bill's opt-out approach to online wageringBetting money on an event or result. advertising.
Defeated 11 to 62. Support came from Community Strong Australia, Greens, and minor parties and independents. Opposition came from Labor, Liberal Party, and Liberal.
The House rejected the proposal, so the bill did not establish the proposed national regulator and ombudsman.
Government amendments tighten live-sport wagering advertising restrictions by extending blackout periods, moving restrictions to 5 am, and prohibiting daytime advertising during coverage; they also restrict inducements, protect recently self-excluded customers, and empower ACMA to enforce opt-out arrangements with penalties.
Passed on the voices
The chamber agreed to this amendment package without a counted vote. APH records the agreed count by amendment, while the source documents are grouped into amendment sheets.
APH records 44 Opposition amendments agreed on the voices. The public amendment list groups them into 9 amendment sheets, so this page summarizes the package by source theme.
Passed on the voices
The chamber agreed to this amendment package without a counted vote. APH records the agreed count by amendment, while the source documents are grouped into amendment sheets.
Senate
Defeated 11 to 24. Support came from Greens, Jacqui Lambie Network, and minor parties and independents. Opposition came from Labor and Liberal.
The Senate rejected the proposed amendment.
Defeated 11 to 24. Support came from Greens, Jacqui Lambie Network, and minor parties and independents. Opposition came from Labor and Liberal.
The Senate rejected the proposed amendment.
Defeated 11 to 29. Support came from Greens and minor parties and independents. Opposition came from Labor and Nationals. One cross-floor vote was recorded: Andrew McLachlan Csc (Liberal) voted aye. Liberal had split recorded votes.
The Senate rejected the proposed amendment.
Defeated 12 to 32. Support came from Greens and minor parties and independents. Opposition came from Labor and Nationals. 2 cross-floor votes were recorded: Andrew McLachlan Csc (Liberal) and Paul Scarr (Liberal). Liberal had split recorded votes.
The Senate rejected the proposed amendment.
Passed 32 to 9. Support came from Labor, Liberal, Nationals, and minor parties and independents. Opposition came from Greens.
The Senate agreed to the proposed amendment.
Defeated 10 to 30. Support came from Greens and minor parties and independents. Opposition came from Labor, Liberal, and Nationals.
The Senate rejected the proposed amendment.
Passed 39 to 21. Support came from Labor, Greens, One Nation, and minor parties and independents. Opposition came from Liberal, Nationals, and Liberal Party.
The Senate kept item 1 of schedule 4 as printed, preserving that part of the foreign matched lotteryA service linked to a lottery drawn overseas. restrictions.
Defeated 21 to 39. Support came from Liberal, Nationals, and Liberal Party. Opposition came from Labor, Greens, One Nation, and minor parties and independents.
The Senate rejected the proposed amendment.
Passed 31 to 12. Support came from Labor and Nationals. Opposition came from Greens and minor parties and independents. 2 cross-floor votes were recorded: Andrew McLachlan Csc (Liberal) and Paul Scarr (Liberal). Liberal had split recorded votes.
The Senate agreed to the proposed amendment.
Defeated 12 to 28. Support came from Greens and minor parties and independents. Opposition came from Labor. 2 cross-floor votes were recorded: Andrew McLachlan Csc (Liberal) and Paul Scarr (Liberal). Liberal had split recorded votes.
The Senate rejected the proposed amendment.
The Senate rejected an amendment on the voices. The record does not identify its narrower subject.
Defeated on voices
The chamber decided this amendment without a counted division, so there is no list of individual Aye and No votes.
The Senate rejected Senator Jacqui Lambie's changes on the voices. They would have required some games with paid chance-based items or simulated gambling to be rated R 18+.
Defeated on voices
The chamber decided this amendment without a counted division, so there is no list of individual Aye and No votes.
This list includes amendment votes, procedural votes and votes on the bill itself.
Parliamentary debate
Start here — lead voices
Wells supports the bill as a substantial package to protect Australians, especially children and young people, by restricting gambling advertising, disrupting illegal operators, strengthening BetStopA register blocking someone from licensed online and telephone betting. and tackling harmful online lottery products.
Read in Hansard ↗All speeches by bloc
1 speaker · 1 support
“This bill will introduce a meaningful and impactful suite of reforms to protect Australians, particularly children and young people, from gambling harms.”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 reading opened
A minister or sponsoring member moved the second reading, opening the main debate on the bill's purpose and principles.
House · Second reading debate
Second reading debate
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
House · Second reading debate
Second reading debate
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
House · Consideration in detail: amendments considered
Amendments agreed
The chamber considered amendments before the bill moved to the next stage.
House · Third reading agreed to
Recorded vote: 103 to 14.
Third reading agreed
The chamber agreed to the bill at third reading, which completed passage through that chamber.
Senate · 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.
Senate · Second reading moved
Second reading opened
A minister or sponsoring member moved the second reading, opening the main debate on the bill's purpose and principles.
Senate · Second reading debate
Second reading debate
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
Senate · Second reading agreed to
Recorded vote: 29 to 13.
Second reading agreed
The chamber agreed to the bill at second reading, meaning it accepted the bill in principle and allowed it to continue.
Senate · Committee of the Whole debate
Committee of the Whole debate
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
Senate · Third reading agreed to
Recorded vote: 37 to 13.
Third reading agreed
The chamber agreed to the bill at third reading, which completed passage through that chamber.
Parliament · Finally passed both Houses
Passed both houses
Both houses passed the bill in the same form, completing parliamentary passage.
Assent · Assent
Assent
The Governor-General gave Royal Assent, turning the bill into an Act.
Senate Environment and Communications Legislation Committee
Report tabled 17 Aug 2026
Referred to Committee (2 July 2026): Senate Environment and Communications Legislation Committee; Committee report (17 Aug 2026)
APH bill page notesParliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights
Report 9 of 2026
Considered by scrutiny committee (12 Aug 2026): Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights; Report 9 of 2026
APH bill page notesSenate Standing Committee for the Scrutiny of Bills
Scrutiny Digest 9 of 2026
Considered by scrutiny committee (12 Aug 2026): Senate Standing Committee for the Scrutiny of Bills; Scrutiny Digest 9 of 2026
APH bill page notes
