Interactive Gambling Amendment (Gambling Reform) Bill 2026
Dr RYAN (Kooyong) (13:26): I move amendments (1) to (39) on the sheet revised on 12 August 2026, as circulated in my name, together: (1) Clause 2, page 2 (table item 2), omit the table item, substitute: 1A. Schedule 1 and 2 1 January 2027. 1 January 2027 1B. Schedule 2A Immediately after the commencement of the provisions covered by table item 1A. 1 January 2027 2.
Schedules 3 and 4 1 January 2027. 1 January 2027 (2) Schedule 1, item 18, page 12 (lines 7 and 8), omit ", datacast, or included in online content, during live coverage of sporting events", substitute "or datacast during live coverage of sporting events". (3) Schedule 1, item 18, page 12 (lines 13 to 17), omit the paragraph beginning "Wagering advertising content must not be included in online content unless reasonable steps" in section 62A, substitute: ‚ Wagering advertising content must not be included in online content.
(4) Schedule 1, item 18, page 12 (lines 25 and 26), omit "programs, channels and online services dedicated to racing", substitute "programs and channels dedicated to racing". (5) Schedule 1, item 18, page 13 (line 11 to 15), omit the definition of account in section 62B. (6) Schedule 1, item 18, page 13 (lines 28 to 29), omit "channel, program or online content service", substitute "channel or program".
(7) Schedule 1, item 18, page 14 (line 11 to 13), omit the definition of online simulcast service in section 62B. (8) Schedule 1, item 18, page 14 (line 26), omit the definition of restricted user in section 62B. (9) Schedule 1, item 18, page 19 (line 7) to page 20 (line 26), omit section 62E, substitute: 62E Meaning of dedicated racing or wagering channels or programs Basic definition — dedicated racing channels etc.
(1) For the purposes of this Part, a channel or program is taken to be dedicated to racing if the content provided on the channel or program wholly or principally relates to racing. Note: For the meaning of channel, program and racing, see section 62B. Dedicated racing channels etc. may be determined (2) If the Minister considers it is in the public interest to do so, the Minister may, by legislative instrument, determine that a specified channel or program, or a specified kind of channel or program, is taken to be dedicatedto racing for the purposes of this Part.
Racing channels etc. may be excluded (3)If the Minister considers it is in the public interest to do so, the Minister may, by legislative instrument, determine that: (a) a specified channel or program; or (b) a specified kind of channel or program; is taken not to be dedicatedto racing for the purposes of this Part. Basic definition — dedicated wagering channels etc.
(4) For the purposes of this Part, a channel or program is taken to be dedicated to wagering if the content provided on the channel or program wholly or principally relates to wagering services. Note: For the meaning of wagering service, see section 4. Dedicated wagering channels etc. may be determined (5) If the Minister considers it is in the public interest to do so, the Minister may, by legislative instrument, determine that a specified channel or program, or a specified kind of channel or program, is taken to be dedicatedto wagering for the purposes of this Part.
Wagering channels etc. may be excluded (6)If the Minister considers it is in the public interest to do so, the Minister may, by legislative instrument, determine that: (a) a specified channel or program; or (b) a specified kind of channel or program; is taken not to be dedicatedto wagering for the purposes of this Part. ACMA may give advice (7) The ACMA may provide advice to the Minister on any matter relevant to a determination under subsection (2), (3), (5) or (6).
(10) Schedule 1, item 18, page 21 (line 28) to page 22 (line 7), omit section 62H. (11) Schedule 1, item 18, page 31 (line 7) to page 32 (line 18), omit subsections 62P(2) to (6). (12) Schedule 1, item 18, page 32 (line 26) to page 33 (line 10), omit subsections 62P(8) and (9).
(13) Schedule 1, item 18, page 33 (lines 16 to 21), omit subsections 62P(11) and (12). (14) Schedule 1, item 18, page 33 (line 22) to page 35 (line 26), omit section 62Q. (15) Schedule 1, item 18, page 37 (lines 2 and 3), omit "sections 62P and 62Q", substitute "section 62P".
(16) Schedule 1, item 18, page 37 (lines 9 to 26), omit section 62S. (17) Schedule 1, item 18, page 37 (line 27) to page 40 (line 12), omit Division 4. (18) Schedule 1, item 18, page 41 (lines 22 to 26), omit paragraph 62W(2)(a), substitute: (a) wagering advertising content to be broadcast or datacast in Australia; and (19) Schedule 1, item 18, page 42 (lines 6 to 9), omit paragraph 62W(3)(b), substitute: (b) is or will be broadcast or datacast on a dedicated racing program or channel.
(20) Schedule 1, item 18, page 42 (lines 13 to 14), omit "For when an online content service is dedicated to racing or wagering, see section 62E.". (21) Schedule 1, item 18, page 43 (lines 15 and 16), omit "broadcasting, datacasting or providing content on online content service", substitute "broadcasting or datacasting content". (22) Schedule 1, item 18, page 43 (lines 18 to 26), omit paragraphs 62Y(1)(a) and (b), substitute: (a) the person broadcasts or datacasts wagering advertising content in Australia; and (b) the broadcast or datacast is in conjunction with live coverage of a sporting event; and (23) Schedule 1, item 18, page 44 (lines 4 and 5), omit "broadcasting, datacasting or provision of content on online content service", substitute "broadcasting or datacasting of content".
(24) Schedule 1, item 18, page 44 (lines 7 and 8), omit "broadcast, datacast or included in content provided on an online content service,", substitute "broadcast or datacast". (25) Schedule 1, item 18, page 44 (lines 14 and 15), omit "broadcasting, datacasting or providing content on online content service", substitute "broadcasting or datacasting content". (26) Schedule 1, item 18, page 44 (lines 17 to 22), omit paragraph 62Z(1)(a), substitute: (a) the person broadcasts or datacasts wagering advertising content in Australia; and (27) Schedule 1, item 18, page 45 (lines 5 and 6), omit "broadcasting, datacasting or provision of content on online content service", substitute "broadcasting or datacasting of content".
(28) Schedule 1, item 18, page 45 (lines 8 and 9), omit "broadcast, datacast or included in content provided on an online content service,", substitute "broadcast or datacast". (29) Schedule 1, item 20, page 52 (lines 11 and 12), omit paragraphs 64A(xj) and (xk). (30) Schedule 1, item 20, page 52 (line 15), omit paragraph 64A(xn).
(31) Schedule 1, item 22, page 53 (lines 9 and 10), omit paragraphs 64C(1)(xj) and (xk). (32) Schedule 1, item 22, page 53 (line 13), omit paragraph 64C(1)(xn). (33) Schedule 1, item 24, page 54 (lines 7 and 8), omit paragraphs 64D(1)(xj) and (xk).
(34) Schedule 1, item 24, page 54 (line 11), omit paragraph 64D(1)(xn). (35) Schedule 1, item 46, page 57 (line 26), omit "Divisions 3 and 4", substitute "Division 3". (36) Schedule 1, item 47, page 58 (lines 1 and 2), omit the item.
(37) Page 73 (after line 23), after Schedule 2, insert: Schedule 2A — Reporting on revenue from gambling sources Interactive Gambling Act 2001 1 Before section 62 Insert: Division 1 — Enforcement 2 At the end of section 64A Add: ; or (y) subsection 64HB(2). 3 At the end of subsection 64C(1) (before the note) Add: ; (y) subsection 64HB(2). 4 At the end of subsection 64D(1) (before the note) Add: ; (y) subsection 64HB(2). 5 After section 64G Insert: Division 2 — Reporting on revenue from gambling sources 64H Definitions for this Division In this Division: annual turnover has the same meaning as the Corporations Act 2001. constitutional corporation means a corporation to which paragraph 51(xx) of the Constitution applies. income year has the same meaning as in the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997. reporting entity has the meaning given by section 64HA. 64HA Reporting entities — sporting, cultural and recreational entities that are exempt from income tax For the purposes of this Division, an entity is a reporting entity if: (a) it is a constitutional corporation; and (b) it is an exempt entity (within the meaning of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997) because it is covered by the table in section 50-45 of that Act (which covers entities whose activities are in the areas of sports, culture and recreation).
Note: Exempt entities (within the meaning of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997) are entities some or all of whose ordinary income or statutory income is exempt from income tax. 64HB Reporting obligations of reporting entities (1) This section applies to a reporting entity in relation to an income year (the reporting year) if the reporting entity's annual turnover for the income year is greater than $50 million.
(2) The reporting entity must provide to the ACMA, within 6 months after the end of the reporting year, a written report setting out: (a) the total amount of revenue (including gifts or donations) received by the reporting entity from gambling sources during the year; and (b) any other information prescribed by regulations for the purposes of this paragraph.
Civil penalty: 1,000 penalty units. (3) For the purposes of subsection (2), revenue received by a reporting entity is revenue from a gambling source if: (a) it is revenue from the operation by the reporting entity of a gambling service; or (b) it is payment for advertising a gambling service (whether or not the payment is made by the provider of a gambling service); (c) it is revenue received from the provider of a gambling service, including but not limited to: (i) commissions or other fees; and (ii) gifts, donations or sponsorship; or (d) it is revenue prescribed by the regulations for the purposes of this paragraph. 64HC ACMA must publish reports (1) If the ACMA receives a report from a reporting entity under section 64HB, the ACMA must publish the report on the ACMA's website as soon as is practicable.
(2) The report must remain available on the ACMA's website for a period of not less than 5 years from the date on which it is first published on the website. 6 Before section 65 Insert: Division 3 — Other matters 7 Application of amendments The amendments made by this Schedule apply in relation to income years starting on or after the commencement of this Part.
(38) Schedule 5, item 3, page 93 (lines 27 to 29), omit subitem (3). (39) Schedule 5, item 7, page 95 (lines 12 to 15), omit subitem (1). Governments are meant to represent their communities and make decisions in their best interests.
Today's collusion between Labor and the Liberals shows yet again that the major political parties in this country care more about the media interests, sporting codes and gambling companies than they do about their constituents. This cynical gamble, like most bets, will not pay off. The Murphy report called for a comprehensive prohibition of all advertising of online gambling products on social media and online platforms.
We've waited for more than a thousand days for this half-hearted, friendless legislative response. It's a thousand days in which this country has lost over $100 billion and we've lost hundreds of lives. The Interactive Gambling Amendment (Gambling Reform) Bill 2026 will allow wagering advertising content to remain online if reasonable steps are taken to exclude children and those who have opted out.
The minister has offered us flimsy, feckless live sport and children's programming restrictions to online streaming. We know and the government knows that partial bans do not work, but the government doesn't care. The opt-out register announced yesterday acts only to shift responsibility from the gambling industry onto individuals: to parents and users.
This government is still refusing to take responsibility for the problem itself. The Murphy inquiry heard heartbreaking evidence about the harms caused by gambling advertising. It's headline recommendation was a total and comprehensive ban.
This bill doesn't deliver that, but my amendments (1) to (36) do. My further amendments draw attention to the extraordinary relationships between Australia's largest sporting organisations and the gambling industry. The AFL receives more than $40 million a year from betting agencies, and the NRL about $50 million, and these organisations alongside Cricket Australia, Racing Australia and other major sporting codes, pay zero tax on this income.
They're tax exempt under section 50.45 of the Income Tax Assessment Act. That tax concession exists because sporting organisations operate for public benefit. But commercial dealings with predatory gambling companies are not public benefit, and Australians have no picture of how much gambling revenue these sporting organisations receive.
My amendments (37) to (39) introduce reporting obligations for professional sporting organisations with a turnover over $50 million. They'll capture not only the AFL but AFL clubs as well, five of which are still sponsored by gambling companies. Those entities should be required to report annually on revenue that they derive from gambling sources.
This will include gambling sponsorships, wagering partnerships, integrity agreements, gambling advertising, product and data fees, electronic gambling machines and other gambling related commercial arrangements. To enable transparency about the tens of millions— The DEPUTY SPEAKER ( Ms Chesters ): The debate is interrupted in accordance with standing order 43.
The debate may be resumed at a later hour. The member will have leave to continue speaking when the debate is resumed.