The Interactive Gambling Amendment (Gambling Reform) Act 2026 (Cth) received royal assent on 26 August 2026, amending the Interactive Gambling Act 2001 (Cth). Individual provisions will commence on dates fixed by proclamation, placing the Act at the enacted stage with staged commencement. It implements recommendations from the 2023 Murphy Review of online gambling harm in Australia and addresses findings of the Parliamentary Joint Select Committee on Australia's Online Gambling Industry.
The Act restricts online gambling advertising across broadcast, digital, and social media channels, and prohibits in-play betting advertisements during live sport broadcasts. Duty-of-care obligations added to Part 4 of the Interactive Gambling Act 2001 require operators to implement affordability checks and default loss limits for customers who do not opt in to higher thresholds. The National Self-exclusion Register (BetStop) receives expanded legislative backing. Civil penalties under Part 7A of the amended Act are increased. The companion National Self-exclusion Register (Cost Recovery Levy) Amendment Bill 2026 imposes cost recovery levies on licensed wagering operators to fund BetStop administration.
Australian-licensed interactive wagering service providers must update their terms of service, implement affordability check systems, and establish duty-of-care processes before each provision's commencement date fixed by proclamation. Operators relying on advertising revenue through affiliates and media partnerships must audit all existing and planned campaign arrangements against the new channel-specific advertising restrictions. Sports rights holders and broadcast licensees that carry gambling advertising during live sport must review their commercial arrangements. Digital and social media platforms carrying gambling advertising from operators targeting Australian audiences face exposure to the new restrictions.
Commencement dates for advertising restriction provisions will be set by individual proclamations; operators should monitor the Federal Register of Legislation for each instrument. The Act does not specify a technical standard for affordability check systems, leaving operators to determine appropriate methodologies pending regulator guidance. Enforcement of advertising restrictions against offshore operators not holding Australian licences raises jurisdictional questions that the Australian Communications and Media Authority has not yet resolved publicly.
Licentium advises licensed gambling operators, media groups, and digital platforms on iGaming regulatory compliance across Australia and comparable jurisdictions. We may advise on the impact of the 2026 amendments on your business or connect you with Australian communications and gambling law specialists through our partner network. Work we undertake includes operator licensing assessment, responsible gambling program design, advertising compliance audit, BetStop integration advisory, duty-of-care policy drafting, and engagement with the Australian Communications and Media Authority.
Source: Parliament of Australia, Interactive Gambling Amendment (Gambling Reform) Bill 2026, 26 August 2026