Australia’s Albanese government is prepared to tighten proposed restrictions on gambling inducements as negotiations continue over wagering legislation that currently lacks sufficient parliamentary support.
Federal Labor is open to considering amendments from the Coalition when MPs return to Canberra this week,according to sources.
The government is reportedly willing to make changes involving wagering inducements,which became a major focus of parliamentary hearings last week. However,it is less inclined to alter its proposed restrictions governing the frequency of gambling advertisements on television and online.
Stronger advertising restrictions remain a major demand from gambling harm advocates,the Greens and Senate crossbenchers.
The hearings included allegations that wagering companies provided illegal drugs and access to sex workers to encourage problem gamblers to continue betting. Sportsbet and Tabcorp said there was no evidence substantiating the claims.
“If the government’s now willing to move on some things,well,good,but the devil is going to be in the detail,” Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young told the ABC on Sunday.
“Inducements,of course … should be gone.”
Labor Open to ‘Sensible Amendments’
The Coalition,the Greens and crossbenchers have opposed Labor’s reforms in their current form,leaving the legislation unlikely to pass without changes.
Sources said the government was more inclined to negotiate with the Coalition and would wait for opposition amendments following its party room meeting in Canberra this week.
Government frontbencher Jenny McAllister said Communications Minister Anika Wells had been holding discussions with the Coalition and paying attention to evidence presented during the recent hearings.
McAllister said Labor believed it had “broadly got the legislation right” but remained open to “sensible amendments”.
“We want to see this through the parliament,” she said.
Gambling inducements can include bonus bets,promotional odds,rebates and VIP incentives such as hospitality at events.
A landmark gambling reform report from late Labor MP Peta Murphy called for an immediate and complete ban on inducements and their advertising.
The issue has attracted support for stronger restrictions from members of the Coalition,the Greens,crossbenchers and some Labor MPs.
Advertising Rules Remain a Sticking Point
Hanson-Young suggested she would support changing the proposed online advertising system from an “opt-out” model to an “opt-in” approach.
Critics argue that Labor’s current proposal could allow streaming platforms to show more gambling advertisements during breaks in play if they introduce a “triple lock” system that includes an opt-out function.
Campaigners have also criticised provisions allowing three television gambling advertisements per hour between 6am and 8.30pm,alongside a ban during live sport.
Wells has previously argued that the government’s proposal strikes the appropriate “balance” between tackling gambling harm and avoiding excessive financial consequences for media companies and sporting organisations that depend on wagering revenue.
Labor MP Jerome Laxale said last week that he would welcome the draft laws “being strengthened in the Senate”.
Deputy opposition leader Jane Hume said shadow communications minister Sarah Henderson was negotiating for additional controls on inducements.
Shadow treasurer Tim Wilson also called for stronger measures to protect children.
“Under the government’s proposed bill,it doesn’t limit the capacity to advertise to children,and that’s something that I’m concerned about,” Wilson said.
Last week’s inquiry heard evidence that gambling advertisements had been played on Spotify between Disney songs intended for children.
Hanson-Young called on the government to strengthen the legislation,warning that the Senate could pursue tougher measures itself if Labor did not act.
