WITH the election looming, the federal government is under fire for failing to act on proposed gambling reform championed by late Dunkley MP Peta Murphy.
Before her death in late 2023, Murphy chaired a parliamentary inquiry into gambling harm. The inquiry’s report made 31 recommendations, including a ban on online gambling advertising, stronger consumer protections for licensed online gambling, a crackdown on illegal gambling websites, and a legislated duty of care.
Last week, Nine newspapers reported that Prime Minister Anthony Albanese had shelved gambling reform put forward by communications minister Michelle Rowland. The “captain’s call” was reportedly made late last year.
During a visit to Frankston before the March 2024 by-election, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was non-committal when asked about the recommendations in the Murphy Report. He said “the federal government commits to considering all of the recommendations that are in the report, which is what we do. We give consideration to that – we know that gambling has a real impact on people in this area and right around.”
Alliance for Gambling Reform CEO Martin Thomas has slammed the federal government for its inaction on the recommendations. He said the Alliance is “incredibly disappointed, as the Murphy Report was produced by one of their own.” “Peta Murphy courageously campaigned even in her last days with cancer. The committee handed down its report which was unanimous across all committee members across all parties. We know from polling that 76 percent of Australians want a full gambling ad ban, so it seems inconceivable that the government not only hasn’t moved on it but hasn’t officially responded to that report,” he said.
“We are mystified – what we can highlight is the fact that the gambling industry has very deep pockets, donates to political parties, spends money on lobbying, and it also lavishes hospitality on MPs and ministers when key decision making happens. The NRL and AFL profit from gambling and they put pressure on the government. The trouble is all this is happening behind closed doors – we had an open inquiry where everyone put forward their case and there was an evidence-led response. Since then it’s all been private meetings.”
Thomas said that the recommendations contained in the “You Win Some, You Lose More” gambling inquiry report are “a terrific blueprint to reduce gambling harms.” “The gambling ad ban phased in over three years will start with TV and go onto online and stadiums and jerseys – there is no reason they couldn’t start implementing that,” Thomas said. He also stated a ban on inducements, a levy to minimise the financial impact of banning gambling ads on sporting bodies, and the establishment of a national regulator should be priorities.
Dunkley MP Jodie Belyea says she has been talking to her colleagues in Parliament about implementing the proposed gambling reform. “As a mum of a teenage boy, I do worry about the prevalence of advertising for gambling in sport. You don’t need to gamble to enjoy watching the footy,” she said. “I continually have conversations with my colleagues and work with them so the government can continue to implement the reform championed by Peta Murphy.
“I want to acknowledge the extraordinary advocacy of Peta Murphy on the issue of gambling harm. The impact of gambling harm is serious, with Australian’s losing about $25 billion to gambling every year. This costs families financially and can cause psychological and legal harm.”
Belyea said that “the government has been working to address the harms associated with online wagering, including harm on Dunkley residents”. She listed the launch of the BetStop national self-exclusion register for online wagering, banning the use of credit cards for online wagering, and the introduction of mandatory customer pre-verification, mandatory minimum classification for gambling-like content in computer games, and “evidence-based tag lines in wagering advertising” among the government’s new anti-gambling measures. “These are important steps and I acknowledge there is more to do.”
After the release of the gambling inquiry’s report nearly two years ago, Peta Murphy said “gambling advertising and simulated gambling through video games is grooming children and young people to gamble and encourages riskier behaviour. The torrent of advertising is inescapable. It is manipulating an impressionable and vulnerable audience to gamble online.”
“A phased, comprehensive ban on online gambling advertising is recommended within three years. This will give major sports and broadcasters time to find alternative advertisers and sponsors, while preventing another generation from experiencing escalating gambling harm,” she said
First published in the Frankston Times – 29 April 2025