The Australian Labor Party (ALP), led by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, has won the recent election, which could give the gambling industry another break.

For the first time in more than 20 years, the incumbent prime minister not only retained the party’s majority in parliament, but also increased it. Labor also strengthened its influence in the House of Representatives, taking 85 of the 151 seats.

The Liberal-National coalition led by Peter Dutton won 39 seats, and Dutton himself lost the election in his district. The Green Party lost all its seats in the lower house, and independent candidates from the “teal” group retained eight mandates.

The ALP’s focus on economic stability and the fight against rising living costs resonated with voters and contributed to its return to power.

The party has taken a low-key stance on gambling and sports betting reform in recent years, particularly in the context of advertising. Despite acknowledging growing public concern about the ubiquity of gambling advertising – particularly during live sports – the ALP has stopped short of a blanket ban.

Following a parliamentary inquiry in 2023 that recommended a phased three-year ban on all online gambling advertising, the government has proposed more limited measures. These include a ban on gambling advertising during children’s programmes and live sports, as well as an hour before and after them. A limit of two adverts per hour before 10pm on television has also been introduced.

A broader ban on online promotions and incentives has been proposed, as well as stricter broadcasting rules, to come into force from mid-2026.

However, these measures have been criticised by anti-gambling activists, who say they do not go far enough.

The ALP’s caution appears to be linked to intense lobbying from vested interests, including major sporting bodies that generate significant revenue from gambling advertising. The AFL and NRL have been vocal in their opposition to a full ban, as they rely on gambling sponsorship.

Between June 2023 and March 2025, it was reported that Australian MPs received around A$245,000 in sporting tickets while new gambling advertising rules were being debated, prompting calls for an investigation into possible lobbying influence.

There are also concerns within the government about the potential financial impact of a full media advertising ban, particularly on free-to-air TV channels and regional news services. Some ministers believe the crackdown could undermine their sustainability and drive audiences to social media platforms such as Facebook.

Despite this, public support for tightening gambling advertising remains high, with almost three-quarters of Australians in favour of a complete ban. However, the Labor government is taking a gradual and concerted approach. While some MPs are demanding decisive action and expressing frustration at delays, the government has emphasised the need for consensus and consultation.

An additional obstacle is the difficulty of passing strict laws in the Senate.

The Prime Minister himself has confirmed that the authorities continue to consider various options to effectively combat gambling harm.

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