Australian gambling reform group targets “key” seats ahead of federal election 

Australian gambling harm advocacy group Alliance for Gambling Reform will support electoral candidates who want to push for reforms during the country’s federal election.  

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced in parliament today, 28 March, that Australia’s next election will take place on 3 May 2025. 

Alliance for Gambling Reform is looking to support politicians sympathetic to gambling ad reforms for “key marginal seats” when the election takes place.

The group will also be launching a “targeted campaign” in marginal seats where the body thinks it can make the largest impact.

The group is looking for donations from voters as part of its campaign push, with the aim of making “gambling harm and its cost-of-living impact a key election issue”. 

Having set up an election fund, Alliance for Gambling Reform said a A$100 (£49) donation would be able to support messaging in an “entire suburb via targeted social media campaigns”.

A A$1,000 pledge would be the equivalent of delivering 2,000 flyers to voters in key seats.

The group has urged candidates to publicly commit to supporting the recommendations made in the Murphy report.  

Released in 2023 by late Labor MP Peta Murphy, the 31-page report recommended introducing a blanket ban on gambling advertising in Australia.  

The proposal would have banned gambling ads in the country across television, radio, newspapers and online within three years.  

Instead of Murphy’s suggestions, the Albanese government favoured a cap system for gambling adverts that would limit them to two per hour on each channel until 10pm, in addition to a total ban one hour before and after all live sport.  

The Labor government’s decision to ignore recommendations made by a member of its own party was met with stern opposition from lobbyists across the country.

A spokesperson for Alliance for Gambling Reform said: “Almost two years ago, a parliamentary inquiry into online gambling headed by one of the government’s own, the late Peta Murphy MP, presented 31 recommendations that would significantly reduce gambling harm – including a full ban on all gambling advertising and inducements.  

“The government still has not officially responded to the report, and the opposition hasn’t done much better. However, many minor parties and independents fully support all of the Murphy Report’s recommendations.  

“We want all candidates to publicly commit to supporting the Murphy Report recommendations, especially the ban on gambling ads. When you speak with candidates in your electorate, ask them directly: ‘Will you commit to banning gambling ad?’ Tell them that 76% of Australians support this change.” 

The spokesperson added: “Australia’s addiction to gambling – and the fact we lose more to gambling per capita than any other country in the world – is not because we like a bet more than others.  

“It’s driven by some of the world’s weakest gambling regulations and a constant bombardment of gambling ads – one million on our screens every year, many of them seen by children.” 

Back in December 2024, Alliance for Gambling Reform criticised the government for being able to implement a social media ban for children under 16s within six weeks, while reforms for gambling ads are continually delayed.