Albanese Responds to Gambling Ad Ban Calls, Emphasises Targeted Harm-Reduction Measures

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has addressed growing calls for a nationwide ban on gambling advertising but stopped short of endorsing the proposal, instead highlighting measures his Government has already taken to tackle gambling-related harm.

Pressed on whether he would support a ban, Albanese replied that his administration does not “make policy on the run,” stressing that the focus remains on practical steps aimed at curbing the risks associated with problem gambling. He pointed to the BetStop national self-exclusion register, describing it as “successful in stopping problem gambling,” alongside restrictions already imposed on the use of credit cards for online wagering.

The Prime Minister argued that recreational betting itself is not the main concern. “People having a punt on the horses on Saturday” is not the problem, he said, adding that the issue lies in the growing number of individuals impacted by problem gambling. He also made clear that poker machines remain the leading source of gambling harm, saying pokies continue to cause the greatest damage.

Officials have additionally flagged rising risks linked to crypto-related scams and underground cash networks tied to gambling, further complicating the landscape.

“What is in our mind is the practicalities of whether people just go offshore, then there’s no revenue at all and it doesn’t solve the problem,” Albanese noted, underlining the risk that tighter restrictions could drive consumers toward unregulated international operators.

He further stressed that the complexity of gambling technology and the inherently global reach of online platforms make careful, deliberate policymaking essential.

His comments come as the Australian Communications and Media Authority continues its clampdown on illegal offshore operators, with hundreds of domains already blocked in an ongoing effort to limit access to unlicensed betting platforms.

By fLEXI tEAM