Labor Caucus Expresses Growing Frustration Over Gambling Ad Reform Delays
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Sports Minister Anika Wells are facing mounting pressure from within their own party ranks over the government's protracted response to proposed gambling advertising reforms. Documents released under Freedom of Information laws have revealed significant departmental concerns about how such reforms might impact sporting codes and media companies, even as public support for advertising restrictions continues to grow.
Internal Dissent and Unanswered Concerns
Approximately a dozen Labor MPs have been actively discussing gambling reform measures, with some members describing a "groundswell" of support building within parliamentary circles. These MPs backing advertising restrictions claim they have sought meetings with Minister Wells for several months without success, leading to increasing frustration about their concerns not being properly heard.
"It's fair to say frustration is growing within people I'm speaking to," one MP revealed. "The frustration is probably because they're not having the opportunity to have those conversations. This issue isn't going to disappear - there are other members of parliament driving this from outside the party, and we need to be taking action."
Government Response and Industry Concerns
Prime Minister Albanese has defended the government's measured approach, asserting that his administration has implemented more gambling reforms than "any other in history." He has promised to "work through" remaining issues while acknowledging legitimate concerns about potential impacts on media company revenues.
A government spokesperson highlighted existing measures including Betstop - a national self-exclusion register for licensed gambling services - and the ban on using credit cards for gambling as evidence of Labor's commitment to addressing gambling harms. "The Albanese Government takes seriously our responsibility to protect Australians - particularly children and young people - from the harms of online gambling," the spokesperson stated.
Parliamentary Support and Historical Context
Support for gambling reform extends across party lines, with former opposition leader Peter Dutton having previously committed to implementing a gambling ad blackout for one hour before and after live sports broadcasts. The Greens and independent MPs including Andrew Wilkie, Kate Chaney and David Pocock have also been vocal advocates for comprehensive reform measures.
The government has been under sustained pressure to respond to a parliamentary committee report chaired by the late Labor MP Peta Murphy in June 2023. This report called for a phased-in ban on all online gambling advertising among more than thirty other recommendations. Some Labor MPs believe 2026 represents a crucial deadline for implementing the Murphy report's findings.
Departmental Briefings and Industry Impact
Documents released last month through the communications department's freedom of information disclosure log detailed confidential consultations conducted in late 2024 with key stakeholders including WIN Corporation, Foxtel and Nine Entertainment. A departmental briefing note acknowledged that "wagering advertising reform is contentious and stakeholders hold divergent views."
The briefing explicitly noted that while advertising bans enjoy "widespread support from the public, harm reduction advocates and some members of parliament," such measures would "have financial impacts for broadcasters and sports" who earn "significant revenue" from broadcast rights deals and product fees associated with betting services.
Recent Developments and Industry Preparations
In a recent development, the communications watchdog found six betting agencies - including Tabcorp and Picklebet - had breached Betstop rules designed to protect registered individuals. Independent MP Kate Chaney responded by noting "949 days since the Murphy review and still no government response," urging stronger industry regulation.
Industry sources indicate that gambling companies have been preparing for potential reforms by adjusting their advertising strategies and placements. Some senior sources within the industry expressed uncertainty about the government's plans, noting they had received no further information during the summer holidays despite earlier expectations of policy updates.
One source suggested that while the government has been in consultation mode for years, Labor could move quickly if it decided to implement reforms. However, the same source observed that public pressure for immediate action on gambling advertising may have softened recently, potentially influencing the government's timetable for responding to the Murphy report recommendations.
