Australia's proposed gambling-ad restrictions were awaiting an August 17 Senate committee report after the inquiry delayed a final vote until at least August. The bill had not passed Parliament as of August 9, leaving its final text and proposed January 1, 2027 start subject to negotiation.

The dispute is over how far the restrictions should go. ABC News reported that Greens, Coalition and crossbench lawmakers, along with some governing Labor MPs, were pressing for stronger limits on live-sport advertising, online targeting and betting inducements.

What the bill would restrict

The Australian government introduced the Interactive Gambling Amendment (Gambling Reform) Bill 2026 on July 2. The government's published summary says television wagering ads would be capped at three per hour between 6 a.m. and 8:30 p.m., with a ban during live sport broadcasts in that time window. Radio advertising would face a ban during school drop-off and pick-up periods.

The live-sport provision is not a blanket ban at every hour. ABC News found that ads could still appear before a match, at halftime and after play when a broadcast falls outside the 6 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. window, although ads and betting-odds discussion would be prohibited while play is under way.

Online platforms could show gambling ads only to users who are logged in, confirmed as adults and offered a way to opt out. The proposal would also prohibit paid gambling promotions by athletes, celebrities and influencers, regardless of audience size. Gambling branding would be barred from sporting uniforms and venues.

The Straight reported that racing content, publications and racing venues would retain exemptions. Those carve-outs are among the reasons critics describe the package as a set of partial restrictions rather than a comprehensive advertising ban.

A person checks sports-betting odds on a mobile phone outdoors (illustrative image)

The 2023 inquiry set a broader benchmark

The main comparison is the Australian Parliament's 2023 You win some, you lose more report, led by the late Labor lawmaker Peta Murphy. That inquiry made 31 recommendations, including a comprehensive gambling-ad ban phased in over three years, an immediate ban on inducements and a single national gambling regulator.

The 2026 bill does not adopt the proposed comprehensive ban. It limits advertising by time, platform and setting, while leaving adults able to receive online ads unless they opt out. Critics also want the legislation to address inducements such as bonus bets and other offers intended to encourage continued wagering.

The Australian Greens said the current bill should be brought into line with the Murphy report. In a July 1 statement, the party said it would press for a complete advertising ban and confirmed that the Senate inquiry was due to report on August 17. The statement reflects the party's position, not the committee's findings.

Online enforcement remains an open question

The online provisions place much of the practical work on social networks, streaming services, websites and apps. They would need to identify adult account holders, prevent ads from reaching minors and provide an opt-out mechanism. Platforms that did not meet those conditions could not show gambling ads.

ABC News reported that the effectiveness of those age checks, account controls and opt-out settings remained unknown. The introduced framework also treats streaming as online media, so it would not apply the same hourly volume cap used for broadcast television.

The start date depends on Parliament

The Australian communications department lists January 1, 2027 as the planned commencement date. That is a government timetable, not a guarantee that the bill will pass unchanged or on schedule.

The Senate committee's report can recommend amendments, but Parliament must still agree on the legislation. Communications Minister Anika Wells said the inquiry and any further delay could put the January date at risk. APPI News could not verify a final committee position as of August 9 because its report had not yet been released.

Frequently asked questions

Has Australia banned gambling advertising?
No. The proposal was still before Parliament as of August 9, 2026. It would restrict advertising across television, radio, online platforms and sport, but it would not impose the comprehensive ban recommended by the 2023 inquiry.

Would gambling ads disappear from live sport?
Not in every circumstance. The bill would impose its broadest live-broadcast restrictions between 6 a.m. and 8:30 p.m.; outside that window, ads could still run around play and during scheduled breaks, while advertising during play would remain prohibited.

What happens next?
The Senate committee was scheduled to report on August 17, 2026. The bill's final wording, parliamentary timetable and proposed January 1, 2027 start could all change after that report.