Australian Labor debates creating national gambling regulator
Australia is likely to see the creation of a national gambling regulator after delegates at the Australian Labor Party’s national conference backed stronger measures to reduce gambling-related harm, particularly among children and young people.
The proposals, adopted as part of Labor’s party platform, call for stronger regulatory oversight, greater protections against online gambling inducements and annual reporting to Parliament by national regulators.
While the conference outcome does not automatically change Australian law, it signals growing political support for gambling reforms and can shape the federal government’s future policy agenda.
One of the key commitments that came out was to strengthen the powers of Australia’s national gambling regulators. “We will endeavour to strengthen the powers of the relevant national regulators, who will report to Parliament annually on their actions,” the amendment adopted by delegates states.
New ways to prevent online gambling
Labor also agreed to explore new ways of preventing online games and social media platforms from exposing children to gambling-like features. The party said it would examine how to better prevent online gaming and social media services from offering “embedded inducements” that encourage young people to view gambling as a normal part of digital entertainment.
The latest move builds on reforms the federal government introduced to Parliament earlier this month. Those proposals include tighter restrictions on gambling advertisements across television and radio, including a complete ban during live sporting events.
No total ban on ads
However, the government has stopped short of introducing a total ban on gambling advertising, despite recommendations made in the 2023 You Win Some, You Lose More parliamentary inquiry led by the late MP Peta Murphy.
That inquiry also recommended creating a dedicated national online gambling regulator responsible for licensing, regulation and harm reduction. It proposed funding the regulator through a levy on online wagering operators.
At present, Australia does not have a single national gambling regulator. Instead, gambling is primarily regulated by individual states and territories. The federal government mainly oversees online gambling through the Interactive Gambling Act, while different state regulators supervise land-based casinos, gaming machines and wagering operators.
Discussions at the conference also considered whether Australia should establish a completely new national regulator or expand the role of the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) under the government’s existing reform plans.
No final decision yet
No final decision has yet been announced. Speaking during the conference, Labor delegate Linda Scott said gambling policy had now been formally included in the party’s platform for the first time.
She said the reforms would strengthen enforcement, restrict wagering advertisements, increase financial counselling services and prevent gambling companies from claiming tax refunds linked to practices that contribute to gambling harm.
Another delegate, Kat Hardy, said Australians expected stronger government action. “Gambling companies operate in insidious and unethical ways. The Australian public knows this, and they expect their government to act,” she said.
Labor’s updated policy also commits the party to working closely with people affected by gambling harm. It states that inducements can have a significant impact on vulnerable Australians and that stronger measures are needed to minimise those risks.
Delegates also supported breaking the close relationship between gambling and sport, particularly where children and young people are concerned. The party says it will continue exploring evidence-based approaches, including public education campaigns and additional measures to reduce harmful gambling messaging across digital platforms.
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