The Australian federal government has announced an investment of AU$112.7 million (about $73.3 million) aimed at reducing harm from online gambling across the country, according to the newly released 2026-27 federal budget document.
This initiative, called ‘Addressing Online Gambling Harms,’ will last for five years and will involve several federal agencies, including the Department of Social Services, the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts, and the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA). Following the initial funding period, the government plans to continue supporting the program with annual funding of AU$18.1 million ($11.8 million).
Australia expands funding for gambling harm prevention
The new funding package will be distributed across four major initiatives focused on gambling harm prevention, public education, regulatory enforcement, and self-exclusion support systems. Financial counselling services will get AU$39 million ($25.4 million) over four years starting in 2026, followed by ongoing annual funding of AU$10 million ($6.5 million). This funding aims to improve support services for Australians facing gambling harm.
Officials confirmed that a nationwide public awareness campaign will get AU$22.4 million ($14.6 million) over three years, starting in the 2026-27 financial year. This campaign will focus on educating Australians about the risks of gambling and promoting access to available support services.
BetStop receives major funding boost
Australia’s national self-exclusion registry, BetStop, is set to receive AU$28.7 million ($18.7 million) over four years, with an additional AU$3.2 million ($2.1 million) allocated annually after the initial funding period. This funding will support upgrades to BetStop’s technology infrastructure, improved data-matching systems, enhanced public awareness campaigns, and better user experience functionality.
BetStop requires all licensed Australian wagering operators to verify and comply with self-exclusion registrations, helping individuals block themselves from accessing online betting services. Part of the new funding package will come from increased levies imposed on licensed betting operators using the National Self-Exclusion Register.
ACMA to strengthen gambling ad enforcement
An additional AU$22.6 million ($14.7 million) over five years from 2025–26 will be directed toward enforcement of gambling advertising regulations and efforts to combat illegal offshore gambling operators and predatory online lottery schemes, as per the Budget 2026-27. ACMA originally introduced the National Self-Exclusion Register levy in 2019 under the National Self-Exclusion Register Cost Recovery Levy Bill. The levy rate increased from 30 per cent in 2023 to 35 per cent in both 2024 and 2025.
BetStop reported that a total of 40,121 individuals had registered to exclude themselves from all licensed online and phone betting providers by the end of Q3 of the 2024–2025 financial year. BetStop is the first national system of its kind in Australia, covering online and phone wagering. It ensures that individuals who sign up are blocked from opening accounts, placing bets, or receiving direct marketing from regulated providers.
Australia to ban gambling ads during live sports
Last month, the federal government introduced broader gambling reform measures. These reforms include a complete ban on televised gambling ads during live sports events. Radio gambling ads will also have restrictions during family-friendly listening hours.
Half Measures on Gambling Harm
— Alliance for Gambling Reform (@ReformGambling) May 13, 2026
Three years after the landmark Murphy Inquiry, the Federal Government has stopped short of a full ban on gambling ads – a decision that fails to protect children and people experiencing gambling harm. pic.twitter.com/llNbAuIowW
Digital gambling advertisements will only be permitted if viewers are authenticated, verified as at least 18 years old, and provided with opt-out controls. That applies to Netflix, 7plus, Disney+, SBS On Demand, sports apps, social media, podcasts, and general websites alike. The new advertising restrictions are scheduled to take effect in January 2027.
Under the new rules, set to take effect in 2027, gambling adverts on television will be limited to three per hour between 06:00 and 20:30. The aim is to break the strong link between sport and betting, which critics say has made gambling feel routine for many fans.
Gambling reform efforts
The latest reforms build on recommendations from the late Member of Parliament Peta Murphy. Murphy advocated for gambling advertising reforms through amendments to the Interactive Gambling Act 2001. He previously called for a complete ban on gambling advertising as part of a broader package of 31 gambling reform recommendations aimed at reducing gambling-related harm in Australia.
The 31 recommendations included strengthening regulations, restricting celebrity endorsements, and creating a national regulator, aiming to treat gambling addiction as a public health issue. While the newly announced measures stop short of a full ban, the government believes new measures will be enough to tighten existing rules. The country has long faced high levels of gambling activity. It ranks among the largest markets globally and also reports the highest per-person losses.
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