{
  "id": 1695346,
  "title": "'Disgusted': coalition rift as gambling changes blasted",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/18/disgusted-coalition-rift-as-gambling-changes-blasted",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-18T05:30:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Discovered",
    "slug": "discovered",
    "url": "https://areanews.com.au/story/9332172/disgusted-coalition-rift-as-gambling-changes-blasted"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A coalition of parties in Australia has reached a deal to allow Australians to opt out of gambling advertisements online. The contentious reforms, which include restrictions on betting agent commissions and incentives for punters, are set to pass. Labor formally agreed to the deal in a caucus meeting, and the coalition followed shortly after. The changes will also ban gambling ads from stadiums, jerseys, and during live sports broadcasts. However, the deal has been criticized for not going far enough. Nationals MP Pat Conaghan, a member of the original Murphy inquiry, criticized his party for not pushing harder for reform, stating that they had the opportunity to honor Peta Murphy, a late Labor MP, by implementing at least the main points of the recommendations. Conaghan resigned from his party after seeing the amendments on Tuesday morning. The legislation includes a ban on direct inducements but only within 90 days of an individual signing up for the self-exclusion register, BetStop. Conaghan expressed skepticism about trusting betting firms to do the right thing. The amendments would support those most at risk of harm without preaching to the community, according to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. However, the Greens demand a complete ban on all online gambling advertising and a national regulator, which was not included in the deal.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}