Australia's government and opposition Coalition have agreed to create a nationwide register allowing users to opt out of gambling advertising across all online platforms at once. Currently each service requires separate opt-out settings.
The register will be managed by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA), funded by licensed bookmakers through a levy. Communications Minister Anika Wells called the move a compromise: the government dropped a total betting ad ban but tightened control. Under Labour's current plan, advertising on social media and streaming appears only to logged-in users over 18 who have not manually disabled it. Critics said opt-out on each platform created unnecessary friction. Broadcaster SBS told a Senate committee that out of 15 million account holders, only 130,000 had opted out.
Beyond the register, the government is restricting bonus offers: a ban on inducement marketing on social media for certain customer categories, caps on referral commissions, and a cooling-off period for new accounts and those who recently self-excluded through BetStop. Wells said bonuses amplify gambling harm.
Independent senator David Pocock called the Labour-Coalition deal a betrayal and will vote against it. He wants a full betting ad ban, immediate inducement prohibition, and a federal regulator. The Greens also oppose the compromise. A 2023 parliamentary inquiry recommended a total advertising ban, which the government ignored.
The Coalition will back the package, with a vote this week. The register will go live in 12 months, possibly after the general betting ad ban takes effect on 1 January 2027. The industry doubts a unified system across different platforms is technically feasible.
