Australia Tackles Gambling Ads: Major Reforms Unveiled

Australia plans to ban celebrity-endorsed gambling ads and limit online advertising to users over 18. This move addresses public health concerns but falls short of suggested full bans. The new measures, effective from 2027, will restrict advertising frequencies and place a total ban during live sports events.

In a significant regulatory shift, Australia announced plans to restrict gambling advertisements featuring celebrities and limit online gambling ads to users over 18 years of age. The government aims to address public health concerns while implementing measures slightly less stringent than those recommended by its own inquiry.

The fresh guidelines come nearly three years after a governmental review suggested a thorough ban due to soaring public health costs. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese emphasized that the new rules will only permit advertisements for users logged into accounts and over 18, with the package set to be enforced from 2027.

Further constraints will limit ads to three per hour between 6 a.m. and 8:30 p.m., and impose a complete ban during live sports within those hours. Cross-benchers have criticized the government's pace in tackling the $23 billion gambling issue, but the reforms mark a strong stance from the center-left administration.

(With inputs from agencies.)