Australia has passed new gambling rules covering wagering advertising, illegal operators and online gambling products. The Australia gambling reforms are set out in the Interactive Gambling Amendment (Gambling Reform) Bill 2026. The package also strengthens the country’s BetStop self-exclusion system.

• Wagering advertising will be banned during live sports coverage from 15 minutes before an event until five minutes after between 5am and 8.30pm. TV will be limited to three wagering ads per hour during those hours, while sports venue and uniform advertising will also be banned. Athletes, celebrities and influencers cannot be used to promote wagering.
• The Australia gambling reforms introduce tighter rules for online advertising and customer inducements. Online wagering ads can only be shown to logged-in adults who have an option to opt out, supported by a new Wagering Advertising Opt-out Register. Direct marketing of inducements will also be restricted for new customers, people leaving BetStop and customers identified as at risk of gambling-related harm.
• The legislation targets illegal gambling services and bans so called ‘pocket pokies’ online keno (offering frequent, repetitive draws) as well as foreign-matched lotteries. Banks and payment systems will be able to block transactions to illegal gambling operators. The Australian Communications and Media Authority will also receive additional powers to block illegal gambling websites faster.
• BetStop, Australia’s National Self-Exclusion Register, will be strengthened following its statutory review. As part of the wider reform package, Parliament also passed two cost-recovery bills covering the new advertising opt-out register, inducement restrictions and the promotion of BetStop. Communications Minister Anika Wells said the package delivers “strong restrictions on predatory inducements.”

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