TLDR Australia will enforce new gambling advertising restrictions starting January 1, limiting TV betting ads to 3 per hour and banning them during live sports before 8:30 p.m. Radio gambling ads will be banned during school drop-off and pick-up times to reduce children’s exposure. Betting brands will be removed from sports venues, player jerseys, and officials’ uniforms. The gambling industry has pushed back, warning the reforms threaten 30,000 jobs and funding for sports and broadcasting. Reform advocates say the rules don’t go far enough and are calling for a complete ban on all gambling advertising.
The Australian government has announced a sweeping package of reforms aimed at reducing children’s exposure to gambling advertising across television, radio, online platforms, and live sports.
The new rules are set to take effect on January 1. They will place strict limits on when and where betting companies can advertise their services to the public.
Under the reforms, gambling ads on television will be capped at three per hour. This limit applies only between 6 a.m. and 8:30 p.m.
During that same window, gambling ads will be completely banned during live sports broadcasts. The move targets one of the most common ways children encounter betting promotions.
Radio will also face new restrictions. Gambling ads will be banned during school drop-off and pick-up hours, times when families are often listening in the car together.
Sports Venues and Uniforms Targeted
The reforms extend beyond broadcast media. Gambling advertising will be removed from sports venues entirely.
Betting brand logos will also be stripped from player and officials’ uniforms. This is a major shift for Australian sports, where gambling sponsorships have become deeply embedded.
Online platforms will face tighter rules as well. The government plans to crack down on illegal offshore gaming sites and expand bans