Labor’s national conference has agreed to boost the powers of gambling regulators, as well as examine further efforts to prevent online gambling and wagering through social media for young people.
“We will endeavour to strengthen the powers of the relevant national regulators, who will report to parliament annually on their actions,” the amendment agreed to by delegates said.
“Labor will explore how to better prevent online gaming and social media platforms from offering children and young people embedded inducements within games and social media that incentivise and normalise gambling.”
The federal government introduced gambling measures to parliament, which would limit the number of ads on TV and radio, such as a complete ban during live sport, in July.
However, federal Labor has stopped short of implementing a complete ban on the ads, as recommended by late MP Peta Murphy in a parliamentary inquiry.
Rank and file members had called for the government to implement stronger reforms on gambling ahead of the national conference.
Australia’s gambling regulations have faced intense national criticism for failing to protect young people, with advocacy groups, health experts, and recent parliamentary findings pointing to a growing crisis.
Despite legal age restrictions, data shows that nearly 30 per cent of Australian adolescents aged 12 to 17 engage in illegal underage gambling, with annual youth gambling losses estimated at $231 million.
Australia currently holds the highest per capita gambling losses in the world, with overall national losses reaching $32 billion annually. This landscape deeply impacts minors through a range of channels.
Young people are exposed to relentless sports betting advertisements on television, social media, and streaming platforms, creating a culture where sport and betting are seen as inseparable.
Popular video games increasingly feature gambling-like elements like paid “loot boxes” and simulated social casino applications, which act as a gateway to real-money wagering
According to The Australia Institute, the number of teenagers gambling under the legal age each year exceeds 900,000.
In introducing the amendment on behalf of Labor members, Linda Scott said gambling policy was now enshrined in the party platform for the first time.
“It represents a change to restrict wagering ads, boost enforcement, double financial counselling, and stop gambling companies from claiming tax refunds for their malicious innovation to create addictions and harm,” she said on Friday.
Fellow delegate Kat Hardy said voters expected action on gambling reform.
“(Gambling companies) operate in insidious and unethical ways. The Australian public knows this, and they expect their government to act,” she said.
Labor’s draft platform said the party would work closely with people experiencing gambling harms.
“We recognise the impact that inducements can have on vulnerable people, and we will strengthen measures to minimise that harm,” the policy statement said.
While Labor’s triennial conference binds the party to platforms, it is up to the parliamentary team to decide how the measures are implemented and its timing.
Amendments agreed to by Labor delegates also called for ties between gambling and sport to be broken, particularly among young people.
“Labor will use evidence-based approaches to counter gambling messaging through public education campaigns and explore options to further prevent these harms online,” it said.
AAP
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