Albanese Signals Progress on Gambling Reform, Calls Inducements 'Over the Top'

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has indicated that the federal government is close to a deal on gambling reform, describing current gambling inducements as "over the top and need to be wound back." Speaking on August 13, Albanese emphasized that the reforms are being developed constructively across parliament and that the core issue is addiction, not recreational betting. He stated, "There’s nothing wrong with people having a punt on a Saturday … the problem is if it’s an addiction." The comments come amid ongoing negotiations and hint at a potential bipartisan agreement on measures to curb gambling advertising and inducements.

Albanese also addressed the scope of the problem, calling it "absolutely false" that sports betting is the country's major gambling addiction, suggesting that other forms of gambling may warrant greater attention. The remarks were made during a press conference where he also discussed a separate call with US President Trump regarding tariff exemptions and the AUKUS submarine deal. The gambling reform package is expected to be introduced in the Senate, with the government working to secure cross-party support.