The Australian Government is taking action to protect vulnerable Australians—particularly children and young people—from online gambling harms.
On 19 August 2026, the Interactive Gambling Amendment (Gambling Reform) Bill 2026 passed Parliament. The Bill includes reforms:
- restricting wagering advertising, including a ban during live sports and in sports venues
- banning the direct marketing of inducements to at-risk customers
- boosting enforcement action against illegal gambling services
- strengthening the operation of BetStop—the National Self-Exclusion Register
- addressing harmful and emerging online lottery products.
The reforms will commence from 1 January 2027.
The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) will be responsible for monitoring and enforcing compliance with these reforms. This includes issuing guidance to industry to support the successful implementation.
The National Self-Exclusion Register (Cost Recovery Levy) Bill 2026 and the Interactive Gambling (Cost Recovery Levy) Bill 2026 also passed Parliament on 19 August 2026. These bills ensure the costs associated with the promotion of BetStop, new restrictions on inducements, and development of a wagering advertising opt-out register can be recovered from wagering companies.