The Albanese government will close a loophole that allows gamblers to use credit cards for online betting, despite the cards being banned in casinos and venues for decades.
The legislation is slated to be introduced later in the year after consultation with the industry which backs the move.
It will bring online gambling into line with in-person services where credit cards were outlawed by the states in the early 2000s.
The communications watchdog will be granted extra powers to enforce the ban, which will use bank identification numbers to find and block credit card payments.
Lotteries, such as those used by charities, will be exempt due to the low risk of harm.
“It’s as simple as this: people should not be betting with money they do not have,” Communications Minister Michelle Rowland said.
“Legislating a ban on the use of credit cards for online gambling will help protect vulnerable Australians and their loved ones.”
Parliamentarians are also looking at the pitfalls of gambling advertising in sport, and if there are better ways to stop young and vulnerable people being hit with ubiquitous betting messages.
The government has also introduced new advertising regulations for gambling services, including large taglines at the end of each ad.
Australians are some of the most prolific gamblers in the world, having the highest losses per adult.
They lose $25 billion each year, with an estimated one in 14 Australians experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, gambling harm.
Gambling harm typically impacts a further six people, including family and friends.
A parliamentary committee report in 2021 said the proportion of people using credit cards for online gambling was low but the harm caused could be “significant and life-changing”.
-AAP
