Limited gambling changes on the table in Coalition, Labor talks
Coalition and Labor negotiate limited gambling ad changes, targeting high‑spending gamblers and VIP inducements while avoiding a full ban.Summary
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Opposition Leader Angus Taylor met twice in two days to discuss amendments to Labor’s proposed gambling advertising restrictions. The Coalition is pushing for targeted measures that focus on high‑spending gamblers and VIP inducements, such as cooling periods after self‑exclusion and limits on exclusive event offers, while rejecting a blanket ban on all gambling promotions. They also propose allowing streaming platforms to choose between a “triple lock” system that restricts ads to logged‑in adults over 18 or stricter TV‑style rules, and seek to limit gambling ads to three per hour between 6 am and 8:30 pm, with a ban during live sport broadcasts. Labor aims to pass the legislation through the Senate by the end of the fortnight but requires final Coalition party‑room approval. Advocates call for an independent future review of the measures, and the debate reflects broader tensions over personal responsibility versus regulatory intervention in gambling harm reduction.
(Source：ABC (Australian Broadcasting Corporation))