The short answer
Interactive Gambling Amendment (Ban Gambling Ads) Bill 2024: what the proposed advertising prohibition would do
The Interactive Gambling Amendment (Ban Gambling Ads) Bill 2024 is a private senator's bill introduced by Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young on 9 October 2024. It amends the Interactive Gambling Act 2001 to provide for a staged implementation of a prohibition on the advertising of licensed interactive wagering services. This would extend the existing restrictions on gambling advertising — which already apply to broadcast media during children's viewing hours and live sport — to a comprehensive ban. The bill is currently before the Senate. As a private senator's bill, its prospects depend on attracting government and crossbench support.
This is a federal system guide. State constitutions, parliaments and local-government laws can allocate comparable functions differently.
The useful question is not only “what is the rule?” but also “who administers it, which document controls it, and when might it change?” That distinction prevents an accurate general explanation from becoming wrong advice in a particular election, chamber or policy setting.
Evidence review
What the bill proposes
The Interactive Gambling Amendment (Ban Gambling Ads) Bill 2024, introduced by Senator Sarah Hanson-Young of the Australian Greens on 9 October 2024, proposes to amend the Interactive Gambling Act 2001 to ban the advertising of licensed interactive wagering services. The bill's central mechanism is a staged prohibition — meaning the ban would be implemented progressively rather than taking effect all at once.
Licensed interactive wagering services include online sports betting, race betting, and other forms of gambling that are conducted over the internet or other electronic means. These services are regulated under the Interactive Gambling Act 2001, which already prohibits certain forms of online gambling (such as online casinos and poker) but permits licensed wagering and sports betting.
The bill targets advertising for these permitted services. Under the current law, gambling advertising is subject to restrictions — including prohibitions during live sport broadcasts and during children's programming — but is not comprehensively banned. The bill would extend the restrictions to a full prohibition on advertising, implemented in stages.
Evidence review
The gambling advertising debate in Australia
Australia has one of the highest rates of gambling participation and gambling expenditure per capita in the world. Australians lose approximately $25 billion per year on gambling, with sports betting being one of the fastest-growing segments of the market. The saturation of gambling advertising — particularly during sports broadcasts — has been widely criticised by public health experts, community organisations, and a parliamentary inquiry.
The 2023 report of the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Social Policy and Legal Affairs inquiry into online gambling, chaired by the late Peta Murphy MP, recommended a phased comprehensive ban on gambling advertising within three years. The committee found that gambling advertising normalised gambling for children, contributed to gambling harm, and undermined efforts to reduce problem gambling.
The government has been considering its response to the Murphy inquiry. As of mid-2026, the government has not implemented a comprehensive advertising ban, though public debate continues. Senator Hanson-Young's bill is part of ongoing parliamentary and community pressure for stronger action on gambling advertising.
Evidence review
How the staged prohibition would work
The bill would provide for a staged implementation of the advertising ban. Staged implementation is common in regulatory reform where an immediate ban would cause significant disruption — it gives affected businesses time to adjust contracts, marketing strategies, and revenue models. The stages might, for example, begin with a ban on gambling advertising during live sport, then extend to all broadcast media, and finally cover online and outdoor advertising.
The Interactive Gambling Act 2001 is administered primarily by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA), which would be responsible for enforcing the new advertising restrictions. ACMA has existing powers to investigate complaints, issue formal warnings, and seek civil penalties for breaches of the Act's provisions on gambling advertising.
The exact staging and scope of the ban would be detailed in the bill's operative provisions. The Explanatory Memorandum should explain the rationale for the staging and the expected timeline for full implementation.
Evidence review
Who would be affected
The bill primarily affects licensed interactive wagering service providers — companies that hold licences to offer online betting services in Australia. This includes major wagering operators such as Sportsbet, Ladbrokes, Neds, Bet365, PointsBet, and Tabcorp, as well as smaller niche operators. It also affects broadcasters, sports organisations, and digital platforms that currently carry gambling advertising as a significant revenue source.
Sports organisations, particularly professional football codes (AFL, NRL), cricket, and tennis, have commercial relationships with wagering companies that include advertising and sponsorship arrangements. A comprehensive advertising ban would affect these revenue streams, and sports bodies have argued for transitional arrangements to allow them to find alternative sponsors.
The public health dimension is also significant. Reducing the visibility of gambling advertising is intended to reduce gambling harm, particularly among young people and vulnerable populations. Public health advocates have argued that advertising normalisation is a major driver of gambling participation and that reducing advertising would produce measurable reductions in harm.
Evidence review
Parliamentary status and political dynamics
The bill is a private senator's bill before the Senate. Its introduction in October 2024 placed it in the context of growing political pressure following the Murphy inquiry's recommendations. The bill's fate is tied to the government's response to that inquiry and to broader political calculations about gambling reform.
Gambling advertising reform is politically complex. It involves powerful commercial interests in the wagering, media, and sport sectors. Major media companies derive significant revenue from gambling advertising. Sports organisations argue their commercial viability depends partly on wagering partnerships. These interests have historically been effective in resisting comprehensive advertising restrictions.
On the other side, there is substantial public support for gambling advertising reform, and the issue cuts across traditional party lines. Some Coalition members have supported restrictions, as have many crossbench members. Whether the bill progresses will depend on whether the government is willing to act on the Murphy inquiry's recommendations or whether it prefers a more limited response.
Common questions
Before you rely on the answer
What gambling advertising is currently restricted in Australia?
Current restrictions prohibit gambling advertising during live sport broadcasts between 5 am and 8:30 pm (including the five minutes before and after), during children's programming, and in a manner that targets children. Gambling ads must also carry responsible gambling messages. However, gambling advertising remains widespread outside these windows, particularly in general television, radio, online, and outdoor advertising.
What did the Murphy inquiry recommend?
The House of Representatives inquiry into online gambling, chaired by Peta Murphy MP, recommended a phased, comprehensive ban on gambling advertising within three years. The inquiry found that current restrictions were insufficient to protect children and vulnerable people from gambling harm and that a full ban was necessary.
How would a ban affect sports broadcasting?
Sports organisations and broadcasters have argued that gambling advertising revenue supports the production and broadcasting of sport. A comprehensive ban would require sports and media companies to identify alternative revenue sources. Proponents of the ban argue that these revenues should be replaced through other means, as the social cost of gambling harm outweighs the commercial benefit of advertising.
Source spine
Primary material used for this guide
- Bill homepage — Parliament of Australia — checked 2026-07-17
- Bill text — Parliament of Australia (ParlInfo) — checked 2026-07-17
Review trigger: Review if the bill passes, is amended, lapses, or if the government responds to the Murphy inquiry with gambling advertising reform.
Archive note: This article reviews a private senator's bill as introduced on 9 October 2024. The bill responds to recommendations of the House of Representatives inquiry into online gambling (Murphy inquiry, 2023).
Primary links are provided without affiliate or tracking parameters. Confirm that the source still applies to the bill, sitting date, jurisdiction or reporting period before relying on it.