Dr Mike Freelander MP, the Federal Member for Macarthur, has welcomed the gambling reforms announced by the Prime Minister as a step in the right direction.

Dr Freelander, a long-time advocate for gambling reform and the Co-Chair of the Parliamentary Friends for Gambling Harm Minimisation, has welcomed the Federal Government’s announcement to cut gambling advertisements on TV, radio, online and on the field.

Specifically, the reforms will minimise audience exposure from gambling harm by stopping the deluge of advertisements by:

• Restricting gambling advertising on broadcast television to no more than three ads each hour between 6am and 8.30pm, with a complete ban during live sport broadcasts within those hours.
• Banning gambling ads on the radio during school drop off and pick up times.
• Banning gambling ads through online platforms, unless people have a logged in account, are over 18 and have the option to opt-out of gambling advertising.
• Banning the use of celebrities and sports players in gambling ads, along with odds-style ads targeting sports fans.
• Phasing-out of stadium and jersey advertising for wagering companies.
• Crackdown on harmful and emerging online lottery products, as well as banning online keno “pocket pokies”.
• Make match-fixing criminal offences consistent across Australia, improving the integrity of Australian sport.
• Boost enforcement against illegal offshore gambling providers.
• Continue work to strengthen BetStop - the National Self-Exclusion Register, following the recent statutory review.
• Expand financial counselling support for gambling and work to increase public awareness of online gambling harms.

These are important steps towards reducing the impact of gambling harm on our community, particularly children and vulnerable people, and will commence from 1 January 2027. 

“Gambling harm is a public health concern that I am deeply troubled by and so I welcome these important reforms by the Prime Minister.” Dr Freelander said.

“I know there is much more to do, however these reforms are a step in the right direction.”