Labor secures Coalition support for gambling reforms
Labor and the Coalition have agreed to establish a single register that would allow Australians to opt out of wagering ads across online platforms, as part of a tentative deal to pass gambling reforms.
Labor and the Coalition have reached an agreement to implement a single register that allows Australians to opt out of online gambling advertisements as part of a tentative deal to pass gambling reforms. The amendments would also impose restrictions on inducements targeting vulnerable gamblers and regulate spending-based commissions for VIP account managers. The deal is expected to be presented to Labor's caucus and the Coalition's party room for final approval the following day, before being introduced in parliament.
A proposed "one-stop shop" for Australians to opt out of online gambling ads has been agreed upon between the two political parties. The government and opposition briefed a Labor backbench committee and the Coalition shadow ministry on approximately 15 amendments on Monday evening. Following a full caucus and partyroom meeting on Tuesday morning, the bill is expected to pass, though some in the Liberal party are considering crossing the floor due to concerns about the strength of the laws.
Communications Minister Anika Wells announced the plan in parliament, stating that the government's reforms would address criticism by introducing new restrictions on inducement-based marketing and establishing the opt-out register. The register, to be managed by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA), would enable users to link an email address to the online platform they wish to opt out of gambling advertisements.
It is anticipated that the register, similar to the existing do not call register, will be operational starting January 1, when the broader ad restrictions come into effect.
The proposed amendments focus on protecting vulnerable and high-spending gamblers, including implementing a cooling period that prevents gambling companies from sending inducements to new accounts or to individuals who have recently removed themselves from the Betstop self-exclusion register. Additionally, the reforms aim to crack down on VIP account managers at gambling companies who earn commissions based on clients' spending.
An independent review mechanism is also being discussed to evaluate the effectiveness of the laws in the future.
Written by urgent.news from ABC News AU's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
