Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has acknowledged increased calls for a ban on gambling advertising. But he has stopped its endorsement, warning that this could drive players toward offshore platforms. Responding to questions on the government’s support of a ban, Albanese stated that policy must be guided by careful consideration. Instead, he highlighted initiatives to mitigate gambling-related harm, such as the BetStop national self-exclusion register and restrictions on credit card use for online wagering.

“BetStop has proven successful in stopping problem gambling,” Albanese said, noting that tens of thousands of Australians have already signed up for the scheme. “We have also moved to restrict credit card usage in online betting, because people should not be borrowing money to gamble.”

Focus on Problem Gambling

The Prime Minister mentioned that his concern is the disproportionate impact of problem gambling across communities. He identified poker machines as the single largest driver of gambling-related harm in Australia, far outweighing the risks posed by regulated sports betting or lottery play.

Albanese’s remarks reflect the government’s emphasis on targeting high-risk products while leaving space for casual gambling activity as part of Australia’s culture.

Offshore Concerns and Enforcement Challenges

A blanket ban might eventually result in pushing players toward unlicensed offshore websites according to the prime minister. “What is in our mind is the practicalities of whether people just go offshore,” he said. “Then there’s no revenue at all and it doesn’t solve the problem.”

Australian regulators have battled offshore betting platforms targeting local customers without licenses. This contributes nothing to tax revenue and offers no consumer protections. The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has already blocked hundreds of domains linked to unlicensed operators, but authorities concede the global nature of online gambling makes enforcement a challenge.

Officials have also raised red flags about crypto scams and underground cash networks tied to gambling. However, these issues could worsen if players migrate to the black market following stricter ad restrictions.

Calls for a Balanced Approach

The Prime Minister stressed that technological complexity requires careful policymaking and coordination with financial institutions and digital platforms. “The global nature of gambling means this is not something we can just flick a switch on,” Albanese said.

While public sentiment is shifting toward stronger gambling ad restrictions, industry observers note that policymakers remain wary of unintended consequences. Striking a balance between reducing gambling harm and preventing migration to unsafe markets will define the next phase of Australia’s regulatory debate.

The Albanese government appears committed to incremental reforms, backing tools like BetStop, and financial restrictions. It remains an open question whether these measures satisfy the call for a total ad ban, as the national conversation on gambling intensifies.