On April 2, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese unveiled a package of reforms aimed at limiting gambling advertising, set to take effect on January 1, 2027. The measures include a cap of three bookmaker advertisements per hour on television from 6:00 AM to 8:30 PM, along with a complete ban during live sports broadcasts within this timeframe.
Additionally, celebrities and athletes will be prohibited from participating in gambling advertisements, effectively removing such promotions from stadiums and the uniforms of players and referees.
Online gambling advertisements will remain accessible only to authorized adult users who can opt out. However, the package does not include a total ban on advertising, which was recommended by a parliamentary inquiry over a thousand days ago.
The industry association Responsible Wagering Australia has labeled the measures as draconian, while bookmaker Sportsbet has warned of the risk of players migrating to illegal offshore operators. Supporters of the reforms expressed dissatisfaction, stating that partial restrictions are ineffective. Notably, Australia ranks first in the world for gambling losses per capita.