Key Highlights
- Federal government allocates AU$112.7 million (US$73.3 million) across five years for online gambling harm prevention
- Financial counselling programs receive AU$39 million to support affected individuals and families
- BetStop self-exclusion registry secures AU$28.7 million for platform enhancements and public awareness initiatives
- Licensed gambling operators face increased levy charges to partially fund the initiative
- Comprehensive gambling advertising restrictions during live sporting events commence January 2027
The Australian federal government has unveiled a substantial AU$112.7 million commitment spanning five years to combat online gambling-related harm, as detailed in Tuesday’s release of the 2026-27 budget documentation.
Dubbed “Addressing Online Gambling Harms,” the comprehensive initiative involves collaboration between the Department of Social Services, the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts, and the Australian Communications and Media Authority. After the initial five-year period, ongoing support is projected at AU$18.1 million annually.
The allocation distributes resources across four primary initiatives. Financial counselling programs will be granted AU$39 million throughout a four-year span, with AU$10 million allocated annually thereafter.
Significant Investment Strengthens BetStop Registry Infrastructure
The national self-exclusion platform BetStop is set to receive AU$28.7 million over a four-year timeframe. Following this period, an additional AU$3.2 million will be provided each year.
These funds will support enhanced public education campaigns about the registry, upgraded data-matching capabilities, and improved user interface functionality. BetStop mandates that all licensed Australian betting operators verify and comply with self-exclusion registrations.
An additional AU$22.6 million over the five-year period will support enforcement of wagering advertising regulations. These resources will also address unlicensed gambling operations and safeguard consumers from predatory online lottery schemes.
A nationwide public education initiative will receive AU$22.4 million throughout three years beginning in the 2026-27 financial period. This campaign will promote available support services for those experiencing gambling-related difficulties.
A portion of the funding will be sourced from existing departmental allocations. The balance will come from raising the levy imposed on licensed operators accessing the National Self-Exclusion Register.
ACMA introduced this levy in 2019 through the National Self-exclusion Register Cost Recovery Levy Bill. The levy rate increased from 30% during the 2023 financial year to 35% for both 2024 and 2025.
The updated levy percentage remains undisclosed. Nevertheless, prior ACMA projections estimate the platform’s 2026-27 operational costs at AU$6.12 million, representing approximately a 15% increase from previous periods.
ACMA anticipates collecting AU$16.9 million in levy receipts during 2027-28, with gradual reductions in subsequent years. The regulatory body aims to achieve cost-neutrality for the self-exclusion register by 2026-27.
The Department of Social Services will expand its contribution from AU$13.5 million in 2026-27 to AU$21.2 million in 2027-28. The Department of Infrastructure and associated portfolios will provide AU$12.5 million in 2026-27.
Comprehensive Advertising Restrictions Launch in 2027
This budget announcement follows gambling reform measures unveiled one month prior by federal authorities. Those reforms emphasized advertising limitations and enhanced enforcement against offshore operators.
The forthcoming regulations will completely prohibit televised gambling advertisements throughout live sporting broadcasts. Radio gambling promotions will be restricted during designated family-friendly time periods.
Digital platform gambling advertisements will also face prohibition unless viewers are authenticated, age-verified as 18 or older, and provided opt-out functionality. Implementation begins in January 2027.
These reforms represent the culmination of extended deliberations following late Member of Parliament Peta Murphy’s proposed amendment to the Interactive Gambling Act 2001. Murphy had advocated for complete gambling advertising prohibition among 31 other reform proposals.
ACMA will receive AU$3.2 million in initial supplementary funding, along with AU$5.2 million yearly from 2026-27 through 2029-30 for enforcement activities and platform maintenance.
Australia’s gambling advertising prohibitions during live sporting broadcasts and across digital platforms are slated to commence in January 2027.
Get 3 Free Stock Ebooks
Discover top-performing stocks in AI, Crypto, and Technology with expert analysis.
- Top 10 AI Stocks - Leading AI companies
- Top 10 Crypto Stocks - Blockchain leaders
- Top 10 Tech Stocks - Tech giants
