Gambling reform deal expected to pass Senate as parties review debate

Anthony Albanese’s gambling bill has passed Parliament’s lower house, three years after a Labor-led inquiry called for a crackdown.

The Opposition leader had unlocked the door for Labor to pass its long-awaited gambling overhaul and NDIS reforms after forcing the removal of a so-called “widow’s tax” from controversial Federal Budget changes in May.

The bill introduces an opt-out system for online gambling advertising, restricts ads during children’s programming and extends the live sport blackout period to 15 minutes before games.

Liberal leader Angus Taylor also demanded tougher measures on gambling advertising and inducements as well as beefed up penalties and enforcement on fraud in the National Disability Insurance Scheme.

Coalition MPs Pat Conaghan and Andrew Wallace joined the crossbench in voting against the bill.

The legislation now moves to the Senate, where the Coalition will support its passage.

After marathon negotiations with the Prime Minister over the gambling changes, the parties agreed to expand the time limits on broadcast gambling ads and to tighten the use of inducement marketing.

The overhaul comes after a 2023 report by the late Peta Murphy called “You win some you lose more”, which the Prime Minister responded to with a string of proposed reforms in April 2026 at a National Press Club address.

One of the key changes made at the eleventh hour was to create an opt-out scheme.

It would place the onus on an online user to input their details into a central website to block gambling ads from their feeds.

Communications Minister Anika Wells said the betting companies would be forced to pay for implementing the opt-out scheme, with the communications watchdog ACMA responsible for developing it.

While she claimed Australians will be able to access a one-stop shop to opt out, the Greens criticised the idea as against a 2023 landmark report’s recommendations for a comprehensive, phased total ban on all gambling advertising across all media, broadcast platforms, and online services.

Inducements had also been a key sticking point in negotiations, which can include VIP perks, bonus bets, boosted odds and sign up bonuses.

It had been a key discussion point during the Senate inquiry after former NRL player Luke Bateman said he had been offered drugs by VIP managers for waging groups to keep him betting.

Under the changes the Coalition will help Labor pass, gambling companies will be prohibited from paying VIP managers commissions.

Inducement marketing will also be banned for gamblers for 14 days after they sign up to a wagering company and they won’t be able to target customers who have been identified as being at risk of gambling-related harm.

While Liberal MP Melissa McIntosh claimed the Coalition had made “substantial repairs” to Labor’s legislation she insisted was previously “riddled with deficiencies”, the timelimit changes they achieved were modest.

Mr Albanese had in April announced a restriction of three ads between 6am and 8.30pm on radio and TV, with a complete ban during live sport broadcasts.

The Coalition expanded that out just one more hour to between 5am and 8.30pm.

Another measure to ban the ads from being aired during live sports, as well as five minutes before the match was extended to 15 minutes before a game and then five minutes after it.

The same laws that exist on broadcast TV will also apply to online services.

Rules on banning gambling during children’s shows, so those with a G rating, will also be enshrined in law.

Under the changes, gambling ads will also not be able to be shown on player jerseys and stadiums.

But Mr Taylor’s deal didn’t go down smoothly in his joint-party room, with nine members questioning it and three reserving their right to cross the floor.

It included Cowper MP Pat Conaghan and Liberal MP Andrew Wallace who voted against the proposal saying they were disappointed that the reforms didn’t go further.

The Greens, independents and other crossbenchers have also spoken out against the gambling reforms for not going far enough.

Teal independents Zali Steggall and Allegra Spender both slammed the government and Coalition for failing to give them more time to look over the amendments.

Ms Steggall raised a procedural concern in the House to complain that the Community Strong Australia members only had “five minutes” to read through the proposals before the vote was called.

“The suggestion that a substantial number of amendments are tabled and given first opportunity to see them now with a five-minute speech, without any reading onto the record as to the detail of these amendments, is procedurally incredibly unfair,” Ms Steggall said.

Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young has dubbed the Opposition leader “Angus ‘Toto’ Taylor”, insisting during gambling reform negotiations that he rolled at Mr Albanese’s feet for a belly rub like the PM’s beloved cavoodle.

Speaking after news Labor and Coalition have carved out a deal on the reforms after a number of compromises, Senator Hanson didn’t hold back on her criticism.

Senator Hanson-Young also accused gambling lobby groups of having “their mitts all over” the deal to ensure “little ‘Toto’ Taylor does the right thing”.

“This bill has been written by the gambling lobby,” she told a Canberra press conference on Tuesday afternoon.

“Do you know who’s happy about these laws passing this week? The gambling companies.

“The gambling companies are getting what they want. They are able to continue to advertise online, to advertise on our television screens, to advertise during sport.

“The whole bill is a dog, and it’s now become a dog’s breakfast.

“Angus Taylor has been weak. He’s rolled over and he’s yapping like Toto the dog.

“Let’s be clear: this is not reform. This is a protection racket for an industry that has lost its social license.”

The Greens were also scathing about Tuesday’s political maneuvering between Mr Taylor and the PM on the NDIS cuts, a ballooning scheme they wanted to be kept largely untouched.

Health Minister Mark Butler on Tuesday afternoon expressed his confidence the National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026 would pass the Senate on Tuesday night.

It will then return to the lower house where Labor has a sweeping majority.

Mr Butler said the Bill would face some 63 amendments – 30 already from the lower house, and 33 from the upper house.

Improving integrity and tackling fraud have been central demands of the Opposition, which were concerns Mr Butler and NDIS Minister Jenny McAllister said they were willing to make concessions on.

Mr Butler admitted the scheme “that was set up for people with permanent and significant disability” had grown to an unsustainable level.

“The costs have grown far too quickly, and frankly, it has become a soft target for shanks and for fraudsters.”

Senator McAllister credited the Opposition for their “constructive approach” to negotiations.

“I believe they (the reforms) will deliver an NDIS which is strong, safe, sustainable, and has a strong social license,” she said.

The amendments will introduce strict new penalties and offences for fraud, expand oversight and whistleblower protections, and implement system-wide changes to secure funding and regulate service providers.

It includes penalties for illegal “kickbacks”, alongside aggravated offences for obtaining funds by “deception”, supplying false information, nominee abuse of power, and record destruction.

The government also aims to pass the news bargaining legislation this week.