Labor’s partial gambling ad ban ‘manifestly inadequate’, advocates warn after talks with government

Gambling reform advocates have attended a meeting to hear about the federal government’s proposed advertising changes. Photograph: Nadir Kinani/The Guardian

Labor’s proposed gambling ad restrictions are “manifestly inadequate”, advocates and health experts have warned, after revelations print ads will be exempted and restrictions on broadcast ads will not apply until July 2026.

But there was some praise for the changes which were expected to include a broad ban on online ads and a ban on inducements, which the Alliance for Gambling Reform said would make a “significant difference” to problem gambling.