Peta Murphy’s 2023 parliamentary report ‘You Win Some, You Lose More’ recommended a total ban on online gambling advertising to address a declared public health crisis. As of March 2026, the Australian Government has ignored these landmark recommendations for over 1000 days, despite 85% public support for an advertising ban. Murphy, the late Labor MP for Dunkley, chaired the bipartisan inquiry that produced this comprehensive report on online gambling harm.

The Murphy Report: A Landmark Investigation into Online Gambling Harm

“You Win Some, You Lose More”: The Report That Shook Australia’s Gambling Industry

• Report title: “You Win Some, You Lose More”
• Releasing committee: Parliamentary Social Policy and Legal Affairs Committee (Source: aph.gov.au)
• Chair: Peta Murphy MP
• Release timeframe: Summer 2023
• Significance: Bipartisan committee with unanimous recommendations (Source: ABC News)

This report was considered landmark because it represented the first comprehensive parliamentary review of online gambling in Australia. It reframed gambling harm as a public health crisis rather than merely a regulatory issue, calling for urgent systemic intervention. The bipartisan nature and unanimous recommendations gave it exceptional moral authority, transcending typical political divisions.

Released in summer 2023, the report captured a moment of growing community concern and provided an evidence-based roadmap for reform. Its thorough investigation, spanning months of hearings and submissions, made it a pivotal moment in Australian public health policy, setting the stage for what should have been swift legislative action. The You Win Some You Lose More report became a catalyst for national debate.

Peta Murphy’s Leadership: Championing Gambling Harm Reform

Peta Murphy (1973-2023) served as the Labor MP for Dunkley and chaired the parliamentary inquiry into online gambling that began in September 2022 (Source: aph.gov.au). Throughout the inquiry, Murphy characterized gambling harm as a “public health crisis” (Source: Wesley Mission), emphasizing that solutions must address systemic factors rather than blaming individuals. Her advocacy continued until her passing in December 2023, leaving a dual legacy of fighting both online gambling harm and supporting cancer patients (Source: Premier of Victoria).

Murphy’s leadership brought together MPs from across the political spectrum, demonstrating that gambling reform could transcend party politics. Her personal commitment to protecting vulnerable Australians defined the committee’s work and gave the report its urgent, moral tone.

The inquiry she chaired became known as the Murphy Report, a testament to her dedication. Peta Murphy’s parliamentary inquiry set a new standard for evidence-based policy making.

Core Recommendations: Total Ban on Online Gambling Advertising

• Complete ban on online gambling advertising: The report’s centerpiece recommendation calls for eliminating all forms of online gambling promotion, including sports betting ads, casino promotions, and poker tournament marketing.
• Stricter regulations on gambling operators: Enhanced oversight, mandatory harm minimization tools, and stronger enforcement mechanisms to reduce predatory practices.
• Increased funding for gambling harm reduction services: Significant boost to counseling, treatment programs, and community support services to meet existing demand.
• Protections for vulnerable Australians: Specific measures to safeguard children, low-income earners, and individuals with gambling disorders from targeted marketing.
• Immediate action to address public health crisis: The report urged urgent implementation, recognizing that each day of delay results in preventable harm.

The advertising ban was positioned as the single most effective measure to reduce gambling harm, particularly among young people who are heavily exposed to digital marketing. The committee drew parallels to Australia’s successful tobacco advertising ban, arguing that removing pervasive gambling promotions would significantly decrease initiation and problematic gambling. By making gambling less visible and socially acceptable, the ban aimed to shift cultural norms and protect future generations.

Why Has the Government Failed to Act on the Murphy Report?

Timeline of Delay: From Report Handdown to Current Stalemate (2023-2026)

Date	Milestone	Significance
Summer 2023	Report handed down	Bipartisan recommendations released calling for total ad ban
June 2025	2-year mark without response	Significant delay; no formal government position
March 2026	1000 days of inaction	Crisis continues; public pressure intensifies

The Australian Government has still not formally responded to the Murphy report (Source: ABC News), leaving millions without the recommended protections. Each passing month without action represents missed opportunities to address gambling harm. The timeline reveals a growing gap between the report’s urgent recommendations and political reality, with community concern escalating as the delay lengthens.

The 1000-day milestone in March 2026 marked a stark reminder of governmental inaction on a critical public health issue. What was intended as a swift roadmap for reform has become a symbol of political paralysis.

Political Pressure: Labor Party’s Internal Rebellion and Lobbying Influence

The Labor government faces intense pressure from multiple directions. Accusations that the party is “kowtowing to gambling and media companies” rather than honoring Murphy’s legacy have come from within Labor ranks and external critics (Source: ABC News). There is a documented risk of internal rebellion if the government waters down the recommended reforms (Source: ABC News).

Powerful gambling and media lobbyists are actively opposing the advertising ban, creating political resistance (Source: ABC News). Independent MPs and opposition parties have consistently criticized the government’s inaction, framing it as a betrayal of bipartisan consensus (Source: SMH).

The political cost of ignoring a unanimous parliamentary report grows daily, especially as public awareness of the 1000-day delay increases. The government’s failure to act risks alienating its base and handing ammunition to opponents in future elections.

Community Consequences: Ongoing Harm During Government Inaction

• Millions of Australians continue to experience gambling harm despite the known risks, with addiction rates remaining high (Source: AMA).
• No regulatory protections implemented during the delay period, leaving communities exposed to predatory marketing (Source: Wesley Mission).
• AMA warns of escalating crisis, with doctors reporting increasing gambling-related mental health issues, financial distress, and family violence (Source: AMA).
• Community groups report rising demand for support services, indicating that harm is growing rather than shrinking (Source: Wesley Mission).
• Harm continues unabated without advertising restrictions, particularly affecting vulnerable populations like young people and low-income earners (Source: Australian Parliament).

The absence of an advertising ban means gambling promotions remain pervasive across television, digital platforms, and sports broadcasts. This constant exposure normalizes gambling and encourages risky behavior, especially among youth who are heavy users of digital media.

Financial losses, mental health deterioration, family breakdowns, and even suicides are linked to gambling harm, and these tragedies continue while the government delays. The human cost of inaction is measured in shattered lives and overwhelmed support services.

Public Support and Political Momentum for Change

85% of Australians Back Advertising Ban: Overwhelming Public Mandate

Polling data reveals that 85% of Australians support a ban on online gambling advertising (Source: Dr Monique Ryan MP via Instagram). This overwhelming public backing mirrors the support that existed for the successful tobacco advertising ban decades ago. Such a clear mandate creates powerful political pressure for action—elected representatives cannot easily ignore an issue with near-unanimous public agreement.

The support crosses political divides, with voters from all sides favoring reform. This isn’t a partisan issue; it’s a national consensus.

The government’s continued inaction defies this democratic mandate and raises questions about its priorities. The 85% figure demonstrates that Australians recognize gambling advertising as a harmful influence that requires urgent regulatory intervention, similar to other public health threats.

Bipartisan Parliamentary Support for Murphy’s Recommendations

• Online gambling reform had rare bipartisan support from the outset, unusual in today’s polarized political environment (Source: ABC News).
• The committee produced unanimous recommendations, showing that all parties represented agreed on the need for an advertising ban and other measures (Source: Australian Parliament).
• Independent MPs call for a ban to cement Peta Murphy’s legacy, adding crossbench pressure and moral urgency (Source: SMH).
• Opposition parties support key recommendations, particularly the advertising ban, arguing it’s a matter of public health (Source: ABC News).
• Within-Labor MPs pressure the government to act, threatening rebellion if reforms are diluted or delayed further (Source: ABC News).

This cross-party consensus means the government cannot claim the reforms are politically risky or partisan. The bipartisan nature of the original inquiry gives the recommendations extra legitimacy and makes inaction harder to justify without appearing to disrespect parliamentary process and the memory of Peta Murphy. The rare unity on this issue underscores its importance as a public health priority.

Current Reform Efforts and the Path Forward

Currently, the Australian Government has yet to formally respond to the Murphy report (Source: ABC News). Various reform proposals are circulating in Parliament, with MPs from multiple parties pushing for legislative action on the advertising ban. Advocates, including the AMA and community groups, demand immediate implementation of the report’s recommendations, especially the total advertising ban (Source: AMA).

Upcoming parliamentary sessions offer key opportunities to break the deadlock, with potential votes on gambling reform legislation scheduled. The mounting pressure as the 1000-day milestone passes may force the government’s hand. For reform to advance, the government must either respond to the report or allow Parliament to vote on the recommendations.

The path forward requires political courage to stand up to gambling and media lobbyists and prioritize public health over industry profits. The public can learn more and join the campaign at petamurphy.net. Additionally, citizens are encouraged to support the ban on online gambling ads by contacting their MPs.

The most surprising finding is that despite 85% public support and rare bipartisan parliamentary unity, the government has ignored the Murphy report for over 1000 days. This prolonged inaction continues to cause harm to millions of Australians who remain exposed to gambling advertising.

To honor Peta Murphy’s legacy and join the growing campaign for reform, visit petamurphy.net to learn about her fight and add your voice to the calls for a total ban on online gambling advertising. The time for action is now.