2026-07-03
Today, Greens Spokesperson for Gambling Harm, Rebecca Vassarotti, called on the ACT Government to step up and take immediate action on gambling advertising, slamming the Albanese Government’s latest legislative proposal as undercooked.
“Right now, massive corporations with vested interests are taking over this country. They are not operating in the interests of our community, and they are certainly not operating in the interests of our children,” Ms Vassarotti said.
“In the Federal Parliament, the Greens have already ensured that Federal Labor’s weak bill, practically written by the gambling lobby, will face an inquiry. But that doesn’t mean the ACT Government can sit back and rest on its laurels.
“Too often, as a small territory, we suffer from a lack of imagination and a lack of belief that we can legislate to tackle these big issues—but the reality is, we have the levers, we have the power, all we need is a bit of collaboration and old-fashioned political will.
“That’s why the Greens are putting forward a decisive list of recommendations for the territory government to prove it’s actually serious about gambling reform.
“The reality is, we are halfway through this Assembly term, and so far, this government has announced exactly zero new reforms to reduce gambling harm.
“Federally, delaying ads until after 8:30 PM does absolutely nothing to protect children or families; it simply safeguards the massive profits of the gambling industry.
“Any other Canberran knows that a game of footy goes well past 8:30 PM, with children and young people making up a huge chunk of the audience.
“Last term, the Greens fought tooth and nail for poker machine reforms to stop Canberrans from being bled dry by the pervasive tactics of clubs. But since then, it has become clear the government had a different point of view.
“But in the urgent interest of our community, the Greens are willing to wipe the slate clean. Today, we are offering to negotiate in good faith with the government on fresh policy reforms that they can actually get behind to protect our community.
“Effective today, the Greens are calling for an end to predatory gambling advertising in the Territory. As part of this, we are calling for an immediate ban on gambling advertising in local sports precincts, importantly starting with GIO Stadium.
“In addition, we’re also calling for strict geo-restricting measures on online gambling ads during major sporting events, and for the territory government to get behind some fierce advocacy for national advertising reform that actually protects people, not profits.
“Report after report has made it clear: the saturation of gambling ads has infected Australian sport like a disease. In fact, recent research from The Australia Institute shows teenagers are now more likely to have gambled than played sport themselves.
“By relentlessly inundating twelve-to-seventeen-year-olds with constant betting promotions during family-friendly match times, the gambling industry has successfully brainwashed our kids, and as a parent, I know our community has had enough.
“Big corporations have conditioned a new generation to believe that you cannot love sport without placing a punt. But sport should be about community, about connection with the outdoors, about teamwork and mateship—not about making a quick buck.
“These are the fundamental values of our community that we love, and we must protect them. The time for sitting on hands is over. If the federal government refuses to protect our kids from predatory gambling corporations, the local government must step up.”
The Greens are calling on the ACT Government to consider and implement the following reforms before the end of the term:
- An immediate ban on gambling advertising in local sports precincts, starting with GIO Stadium.
- Strict geo-restricting measures on online gambling ads during major sporting events.
- Fierce advocacy for national advertising reform that guts and improves on the federal government’s weak 8:30 PM cut-off.
These calls reflect the advocacy of anti-gambling advocates, including the Canberra Gambling Reform Alliance.