This bill is currently before Parliament.
Transport & communications
The bill would amend the Interactive Gambling Act 2001The existing federal law the bill would amend. The bill would add a new part dealing with advertising for licensed interactive wagering services. to phase in a comprehensive ban on advertising licensed interactive wagering services across television, radio, online and print.
Senator Hanson-Young introduced the bill because the Greens argued that existing gambling advertising rules were not keeping up with the harm caused by widespread wagering promotion across broadcast, online and print channels. The explanatory memorandum says gambling advertising normalises betting, fuels addiction and particularly affects children, young people and people experiencing gambling addiction. The sponsor also linked the proposal to the House of Representatives inquiry on online gambling harm led by Peta Murphy, saying that inquiry had recommended a comprehensive, phased ban on gambling advertising. The bill’s practical answer is to require the Australian Communications and Media AuthorityThe communications regulator that would make the staged advertising prohibition rules and investigate possible breaches. to phase in progressively stronger advertising prohibitions over three years.
The bill sits in a broader argument about how far Parliament should go to separate gambling promotion from sport, media and online life. The source bundle points to the 2022 House inquiry into online gambling harm, later Senate debate over whether the government should move faster, Labor senators’ argument that reform needed more consultation, and Coalition criticism that the Greens opposed an earlier live-sport advertising ban.
The main criticism in the collected Senate debate was not that gambling advertising is harmless. Labor and Coalition speakers accepted that gambling harm and advertising exposure were serious issues, but challenged the bill from different directions: Labor said the bill moved before consultation and policy design were complete, while the Coalition said the Greens were inconsistent because they had opposed an earlier live-sport advertising bill.
Senator Sarah Hanson-Young introduced this bill. Supportive speeches so far have come from Greens, 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
609 days
Updated 10 June 2026.
Meaning
The bill would amend the Interactive Gambling Act 2001The existing federal law the bill would amend. The bill would add a new part dealing with advertising for licensed interactive wagering services. to phase in a comprehensive ban on advertising licensed interactive wagering services across television, radio, online and print.
The proposed advertising definition is broad. It would cover words, images, audio, signs, symbols, trademarks, domain names, URLs and closely associated words that promote a licensed interactive wagering serviceA regulated wagering service with an Australian-customer link that is not being provided in breach of the existing interactive gambling law..
The bill would leave several exceptions outside the advertising ban, including political communication, a provider’s own website or ordinary business documents, signs at provider premises, internal management advertisements, anti-gambling advertisements and any further exceptions made by regulation.
The Australian Communications and Media AuthorityThe communications regulator that would make the staged advertising prohibition rules and investigate possible breaches. would be able to make Online Gambling Advertisement Prohibition rulesThe legislative instrument the bill would require or allow ACMA to make so the advertising bans could be phased in., but would first have to consider support or compensation arrangements, consider penalties, and consult the Minister.
People would be able to complain about possible breaches of the new prohibition rules, and the Australian Communications and Media AuthorityThe communications regulator that would make the staged advertising prohibition rules and investigate possible breaches. would be able to investigate possible breaches.
In phase one, the regulator would have to act as soon as practicable after commencement to ban inducement advertisingAdvertising intended to encourage people to gamble, such as promotions or offers. The explanatory memorandum says phase one would target online gambling inducements and inducement advertising. during news and current affairs on broadcast, datacast and online content services, commercial radio ads at 8:30-9:00 am and 3:30-4:00 pm, publication of inducement ads, and online publication of licensed wagering ads.
In phase two, within 12 months, the regulator would have to ban licensed wagering ads and commentator betting-odds promotions during live sports coverage and for one hour before and after that coverage.
In phase three, within two years, the regulator would have to ban interactive wagering advertisements on broadcast, datacast and online content services between 6 pm and 10 pm.
In phase four, within three years, the regulator would have to create a comprehensive prohibition on licensed wagering advertising across broadcast, datacast, online content services and published advertisements in Australia.
If passed, the bill would start the day after Royal AssentThe final formal approval a bill needs before it can become an Act. This bill had not received Royal Assent in the collected record.. In the collected parliamentary record, it was still before the Senate and had not become an Act.
This Bill seeks to amend the Interactive Gambling Act 2001 (the Act) to implement a comprehensive ban on online gambling advertisements across television, radio, online and print. This would be conducted via a three-year phase-in approach.Interactive Gambling Amendment (Ban Gambling Ads) explanatory memorandum
a licensed interactive wagering service advertisement is 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... the whole or part of a trade mark... a domain name or URL... any words that are closely associated with a licensed interactive wagering serviceInteractive Gambling Amendment (Ban Gambling Ads) introduced bill text
This definition is subject to exemptions, which are outlined and described in new sections 61FEB (political communication), 61FEC (websites and business documents), 61FED (premises of providers), 61FEE (management advertisements), 61FEF... and 61FEG (anti-gambling advertisements), 61FEH (advertisements of a kind to be specified in the regulations).Interactive Gambling Amendment (Ban Gambling Ads) explanatory memorandum
Section 61FEV outlines that the ACMA may, by legislative instrument, make rules prescribing matters required or permitted by this Part. Before doing so, the ACMA must consider the appropriateness of support or compensatory arrangements and the imposition of penalties, and must consult the Minister.Interactive Gambling Amendment (Ban Gambling Ads) explanatory memorandum
This item inserts a new paragraph to allow a person to complain if they believe that another person has breached a provision in the Online Advertisement Gambling Prohibition rules. ... This item inserts a new subparagraph to allow the Australian Communications and Media Authority (the ACMA) to investigate possible breaches of a provision in the Online Advertisement Gambling Prohibition rules.Interactive Gambling Amendment (Ban Gambling Ads) explanatory memorandum
Section 61FEW provides that as soon as practicable after the commencement of this Part, the ACMA must make rules to implement phase one of the ban... all licensed interactive wagering service advertisements during news and current affairs programs, and all broadcast of licensed interactive wagering service advertisements on commercial radio during school pickup times (between 8.30-9am and 3.30-4pm).Interactive Gambling Amendment (Ban Gambling Ads) explanatory memorandum
Section 61FEX provides that within twelve months of the commencement of this Part, the ACMA must make rules to implement phase two of the ban. Rules must be created to ban licensed interactive wagering service advertisements and commentary on betting odds during, and an hour either side of, a sports broadcast.Interactive Gambling Amendment (Ban Gambling Ads) explanatory memorandum
Within two years of the commencement of this Part, the ACMA must make rules under section 61FEV to provide for the prohibition of the following during the period beginning at 6:00 pm and ending at 10:00 pm: (a) the broadcast or datacast of interactive wagering service advertisements; (b) the provision of interactive wagering service advertisements by online content service providers.Interactive Gambling Amendment (Ban Gambling Ads) introduced bill text
Within three years of the commencement of this Part, the ACMA must make rules under section 61FEV to provide for the prohibition of the following: (a) the broadcast or datacast of a licensed interactive wagering service advertisement in Australia; (b) the provision of licensed interactive wagering service advertisements by online content service providers in Australia; (c) the publication of a licensed interactive wagering service advertisement in Australia.Interactive Gambling Amendment (Ban Gambling Ads) introduced bill text
This clause provides for commencement of the Act the day after receiving the Royal Assent.Interactive Gambling Amendment (Ban Gambling Ads) explanatory memorandum
Context
The bill sits in a broader argument about how far Parliament should go to separate gambling promotion from sport, media and online life. The source bundle points to the 2022 House inquiry into online gambling harm, later Senate debate over whether the government should move faster, Labor senators’ argument that reform needed more consultation, and Coalition criticism that the Greens opposed an earlier live-sport advertising ban.
House inquiry becomes the main reform anchor
The explanatory memorandum identifies the 2022 House of Representatives inquiry into online gambling and its impacts on people experiencing gambling harm as a key reason for a comprehensive advertising ban. Senators later described Peta Murphy’s report as recommending a phased ban across media.
Explanatory memorandum and Senate debate ↗Coalition proposes a live-sport advertising ban
Senator Henderson said the Coalition had proposed banning gambling advertising during live sport and for one hour before and after games, and criticised both Labor and the Greens for not supporting that earlier bill.
Senate debate ↗Greens introduce a wider phased ban
Senator Hanson-Young introduced the bill in the Senate, proposing a broader phased advertising ban across television, radio, online and print rather than a live-sport-only restriction.
Parliament of Australia and second reading speech ↗Scrutiny committee records consideration
The APH source notes say the Senate Standing Committee for the Scrutiny of Bills considered the bill in Scrutiny Digest 14 of 2024. The local bundle does not include detailed committee comments.
APH bill page notes ↗Senate debate tests the parties’ positions
The resumed Senate debate showed support from the Greens and Senator Pocock, Labor opposition on the basis that consultation and design work were still underway, and Coalition criticism that the Greens bill was a stunt while also attacking Labor delay.
Senate debate ↗Bill is restored after the Parliament ends
After lapsing at the end of the Parliament on 21 July 2025, the bill was restored to the Senate Notice PaperThe official list of business before a house of Parliament. Restoring the bill to the Notice Paper put it back on the Senate’s agenda after it lapsed. two days later and remained before the Senate in the collected record.
Parliament of Australia ↗Legislative route
Senator Sarah Hanson-Young introduced the private senator’s bill and it was read a first time.
Introduced and read a first time
Senator Hanson-Young tabled the explanatory memorandum and moved the second readingThe parliamentary stage where a bill’s broad purpose and principles are debated., opening debate on the bill’s purpose.
The local source bundle records that the scrutiny committee considered the bill, but it does not include detailed committee comments to summarise.
Considered in published report
Senators resumed debate on whether to proceed with the proposed phased ban on licensed interactive wagering advertisements.
Second readingThe parliamentary stage where a bill’s broad purpose and principles are debated. debate
The bill lapsed when the Parliament ended before the bill had completed passage.
Lapsed at end of Parliament
The Senate restored the bill to the Notice PaperThe official list of business before a house of Parliament. Restoring the bill to the Notice Paper put it back on the Senate’s agenda after it lapsed., putting it back before the chamber.
Restored to Notice PaperThe official list of business before a house of Parliament. Restoring the bill to the Notice Paper put it back on the Senate’s agenda after it lapsed.
Key criticism
The main criticism in the collected Senate debate was not that gambling advertising is harmless. Labor and Coalition speakers accepted that gambling harm and advertising exposure were serious issues, but challenged the bill from different directions: Labor said the bill moved before consultation and policy design were complete, while the Coalition said the Greens were inconsistent because they had opposed an earlier live-sport advertising bill.
The supplied record contains Senate debate, official explanatory material and APH process notes. It does not include submissions from media companies, sporting codes, wagering companies or harm-reduction groups on this bill.
Labor says the bill is premature
Labor senators said the government did not support the bill because reforming gambling advertising was complex, consultation had raised additional issues, and poorly designed restrictions could shift advertising to other platforms instead of reducing exposure.
Coalition calls it inconsistent politics
Senator Henderson argued the Greens were being hypocritical because they opposed an earlier Coalition bill that would have banned gambling advertising during live sport and for one hour before and after games.
Partial bans and rushed bans disputed
The debate exposed a policy disagreement: Greens and Senator Pocock said partial bans do not work, while Labor warned that rushed or narrow rules could repeat earlier mistakes by pushing gambling ads into other family or online spaces.
Further sources
Votes
No recorded votes have been found yet for this bill.
Parliamentary debate
Start here — lead voices
Lisa Darmanin opposed the bill for Labor while supporting stronger action on gambling advertising, saying the government was working through inquiry recommendations and consultation to avoid rushed or ineffective rules.
Read in Hansard ↗Sarah Hanson-Young again supported the bill and pressed the government to act before the election, while also saying the Greens had offered a compromise covering online gambling ads and broadcast restrictions around sport.
Read in Hansard ↗David Pocock supported the bill, saying gambling advertising is a public-health issue, backing Peta Murphy’s work, and arguing that partial bans do not match the scale of harm described to the inquiry.
Read in Hansard ↗Sarah Henderson criticised the bill as a Greens stunt, arguing the Coalition had already proposed a live-sport gambling-ad ban and that Labor and the Greens had failed to support earlier action.
Read in Hansard ↗All speeches by bloc
2 speakers · 2 oppose
“That is why we do not support this bill. Arising out of the extensive consultation on a model, it has raised additional complexities for the government to take on board.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“Just to be very clear, we do not support this legislation with or without suggested amendments. We do take this issue very, very seriously.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
1 speaker · 1 oppose
“This bill represents gross hypocrisy. ... There were no guts and no glory when the Australian Greens voted against a bill to ban gambling advertising during live sport.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
2 speakers · 3 contributions · 2 support
Hansard records 2 separate contributions by Sarah Hanson-Young on this bill. They are grouped here so the speaker is listed once.
Second reading speech
Sarah Hanson-Young supported the bill as the Greens’ proposal for a comprehensive phased ban on gambling advertising, arguing that advertising normalises gambling, harms children and vulnerable people, and should be treated like other harmful-product promotion.
“I rise today in favour of the Interactive Gambling Amendment (Ban Gambling Ads) Bill 2024, the Australian Greens' Bill which will implement a comprehensive ban on all forms of online gambling advertising across television, radio, online and print.”Read this contribution in Hansard ↗
Second reading speech
Sarah Hanson-Young again supported the bill and pressed the government to act before the election, while also saying the Greens had offered a compromise covering online gambling ads and broadcast restrictions around sport.
“Last week, I wrote to Minister Rowland to offer a pragmatic pathway to take a sensible step forward and said we would support legislation this fortnight that will ban gambling ads online and implement broadcast restrictions before and after sport during the times when kids are watching.”Read this contribution in Hansard ↗
“In response to this devastating reality, Murphy's report made a clear recommendation: ban gambling ads across all media within three years.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
1 speaker · 1 support
“I want to thank Senator Hanson-Young for bringing forward this bill, the Interactive Gambling Amendment (Ban Gambling Ads) Bill 2024. ... We are talking about a public health issue, and we should have a response that is up to the challenge of meeting that.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
Record
Senate · Introduced and read a first time
Introduced in the Senate
Senator Sarah Hanson-Young introduced the private senator’s bill and it was read a first time.
Senate · Second reading moved
Second readingThe parliamentary stage where a bill’s broad purpose and principles are debated. moved
Senator Hanson-Young tabled the explanatory memorandum and moved the second readingThe parliamentary stage where a bill’s broad purpose and principles are debated., opening debate on the bill’s purpose.
Senate · Second reading debate
Second readingThe parliamentary stage where a bill’s broad purpose and principles are debated. debate resumed
Senators resumed debate on whether to proceed with the proposed phased ban on licensed interactive wagering advertisements.
Senate · Lapsed at end of Parliament
Lapsed
The bill lapsed when the Parliament ended before the bill had completed passage.
Senate · Restored to Notice Paper
Restored
The Senate restored the bill to the Notice PaperThe official list of business before a house of Parliament. Restoring the bill to the Notice Paper put it back on the Senate’s agenda after it lapsed., putting it back before the chamber.
Senate Standing Committee for the Scrutiny of Bills
Considered in published report
The local source bundle records that the scrutiny committee considered the bill, but it does not include detailed committee comments to summarise.
The APH source notes record scrutiny committee consideration in Scrutiny Digest 14 of 2024.
APH bill page notes
