Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese expects legislation containing what he described as the country’s “strongest anti-gambling regulation” to be introduced in parliament this month, as his government seeks bipartisan support for tighter controls on gambling inducements and advertising.
The Interactive Gambling Amendment (Gambling Reform) Bill 2026 is expected to easily pass the House of Representatives. However, Labor lacks a majority in the Senate, where the government needs support from either the Greens or the Liberal-National Coalition to pass the reforms.
Albanese told Labor’s caucus he was “confident” the legislation could secure bipartisan support after meeting opposition leader Angus Taylor to resolve differences over the package.
Changes to gambling inducements appear to be among the most significant amendments following those discussions.
Under existing rules, inducements that are separate from core gambling products and designed to encourage people to open betting accounts or refer others are generally prohibited. However, some direct communications to customers who have opted in can fall outside the definition of published gambling advertisements.
The proposed changes follow allegations heard by a Senate inquiry into gambling advertising concerning illegal and improper inducements. Former Australian rugby league player Luke Bateman alleged that gambling companies invited him to sporting events and offered him drugs.
The inquiry also heard allegations that sex workers were made available to high-roller gamblers.
Albanese said the government needed to balance recreational gambling with measures to address gambling harm.
Albanese highlighted as a priority “making sure that those issues are dealt with in a constructive way, making sure that we get the balance right between people who want to go along and have a punt on a Saturday at the races, but also, that problem gambling is actually dealt with.”
The bill is also expected to include measures aimed at reducing children’s exposure to gambling advertising.
Proposed television rules would limit broadcasters to three gambling advertisements per hour between 6 a.m. and 8:30 p.m., with a comprehensive restriction during live sport.
The measures are intended to address recommendations from a 2023 parliamentary report by the late Labor lawmaker Peta Murphy.
The Greens and some independent lawmakers have continued to push for a total advertising ban, potentially creating another hurdle for the government as it seeks to secure enough Senate support.
Albanese has described the legislation as the “strongest anti-gambling regulation that Australia has ever seen.”
Further details on the amendments are expected when the bill is presented to the lower house, including whether the proposed measures will be sufficient to secure Greens support.
Original article: https://www.yogonet.com/international/news/2026/08/13/125867-pm-albanese-vows-to-introduce-australias-strongest-gambling-regulations-yet
