Labor to ban online gambling ads and limit TV advertisements with major reform

There would be a partial ban on TV gambling advertising within two years and an almost immediate ban on online gambling ads under the federal government gambling reforms soon to hit Cabinet, Sky News Political Editor Andrew Clennell reports. Sky News can reveal that due to contractual arrangements, a TV ban would have to wait almost two years to come into effect, but restrictions could be placed in federal legislation on bookmakers sooner, preventing them from putting ads on social media sites and online. A blanket advertising ban, which was what a parliamentary committee led by the late Labor MP Peta Murphy recommended, is not being considered, Sky News understands, but the ban which will be introduced is being aimed at three areas of concern: the current saturation of gambling ads, the amount of exposure of children to gambling ads and the issue of gambling advertising during sporting matches. The advertising aspect – which Communications Minister Michelle Rowland has been consulting the industry about - is part of a suite of reforms set to be approved by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. Many of the recommendations of the parliamentary committee report are being handled by Social Services Minister Amanda Rishworth.