Labor delegates have unanimously voted to strengthen the party’s policy on gambling regulation, stopping short of endorsing a national regulator advocated by some proponents. The decision follows a grassroots campaign by party members, according to SBS Australia.
What Happened
Delegates at Labor’s national conference unanimously voted to strengthen the party’s policy on gambling regulation on July 24, 2026, according to SBS Australia. This policy adjustment follows a grassroots campaign initiated by party members (SBS Australia). However, the updated stance does not include support for a national gambling regulator.
The party’s decision diverges from a key recommendation of a 2023 gambling reform report, which was led by the late Labor MP Peta Murphy. Instead of a new national regulator, Labor has committed to bolstering the powers of existing national regulators and enhancing efforts to mitigate harm from gambling promotions and incentives (SBS Australia).
Key Details
- Labor’s national conference delegates unanimously voted to strengthen the party’s gambling regulation policy (SBS Australia).
- The policy change emerged from a grassroots campaign by party members (SBS Australia).
- The updated policy does not support the creation of a national gambling regulator, a recommendation from a 2023 reform report (SBS Australia).
- Labor will focus on strengthening existing national regulators’ powers and reducing harm from gambling promotions and incentives (SBS Australia).
- Tim Costello of the Alliance for Gambling Reform stated that the party ‘should have gone further,’ citing Australia’s high gambling losses and the lack of a national regulator (SBS Australia).
Why It Matters
The Australian Labor Party’s reinforced position on gambling regulation signifies a move towards addressing industry-related harms, even if it falls short of some recommendations. The decision to enhance existing regulatory powers rather than establishing a new national body indicates a strategic approach to governance and oversight within the highly regulated gambling sector (SBS Australia). This approach impacts commercial operators by potentially increasing scrutiny on promotional activities and incentives, requiring adjustments to marketing strategies and responsible gaming frameworks.
The divergence from the 2023 gambling reform report’s recommendation for a national regulator, as highlighted by SBS Australia, may be noted by industry analysts as a critical point. Industry stakeholders will monitor how the strengthening of existing regulators’ powers translates into new policies or enforcement actions. The ongoing debate, as evidenced by sentiments from groups like the Alliance for Gambling Reform, underscores persistent concerns regarding the efficacy of current regulatory structures in mitigating social harms associated with gambling within the Australian market (SBS Australia).
What’s Next
Labor’s commitment to strengthening the powers of existing national regulators suggests forthcoming legislative or policy changes aimed at further reducing the harm caused by gambling promotions and incentives (SBS Australia). Specific actions related to these strengthened powers and their implementation will likely be observed by industry participants and regulatory bodies.
Originally reported by SBS AustraliaPublished
Sources & References
Primary source
- SBS Australiasbs.com.au