The Australian Psychological Society (APS) was pleased to make a submission to the Parliamentary inquiry into the Interactive Gambling Amendment (Gambling Reform) Bill 2026 and National Self-exclusion Register (Cost Recovery Levy) Amendment Bill 2026.
While we supported the intent of the Gambling Reform Bill 2026 in our submission, we argued that stronger measures are needed to better protect Australians, particularly children and young people, from gambling-related harm.
APS recommendations included:
• Implement a comprehensive ban on online gambling advertising (phased in over three years)
• Adopt an opt-in rather than opt-out model for online gambling ads during the transition to a comprehensive ban
• Prohibit all online gambling inducements and inducement advertising
• Establish a national online gambling regulator with strong compliance, monitoring and enforcement powers
• Expand public education and school-based gambling harm prevention initiatives and
• Ensure adequate funding for psychologists and support services for people experiencing gambling harm.
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