House of Representatives Gambling Committee: Current Work and Priorities

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The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Social Policy and Legal Affairs held a public hearing on March 27, 2026, examining advertising restrictions and support services for gambling harm reduction. This is the same committee previously chaired by the late Peta Murphy, which released the landmark Murphy Report in 2022. The committee has jurisdiction over social policy and legal affairs matters, including gambling, and its current inquiry into online gambling harms has persisted for over 1000 days without a full government response to its recommendations.

March 2026 Hearing: Government Agencies Testify on Gambling Harm

March 27, 2026: Public Hearing Details and Agency Participation

The committee convened a public hearing on March 27, 2026, from 10:00 AM to 12:15 PM at Parliament House in Canberra. Government agencies provided testimony during this session, which was part of the committee’s ongoing inquiry into online gambling harms. The hearing allowed members of parliament to question agency representatives directly about their activities and challenges in regulating gambling.

This session represented a significant moment in the inquiry, as it brought together key regulatory bodies to discuss implementation of the Murphy Report’s recommendations. The committee used this platform to assess progress on consumer protections, advertising restrictions, and support services more than three years after the inquiry began.

Key Topics: Loot Boxes, Payment Methods, and Illegal Gambling Enforcement

• Consumer protections – The committee examined existing safeguards for vulnerable gamblers, including self-exclusion mechanisms and spending limits, to determine whether current measures adequately prevent harm.
• Gambling-like products (e.g., loot boxes) – These video game features mimic gambling mechanics and were discussed as potential gateways to gambling addiction, particularly among young people.
• Ad restrictions – The committee reviewed the effectiveness of current advertising regulations, including the proposed phased ban on online gambling ads recommended in the Murphy Report, and discussed the potential role of a Gambling Advertising Authority Australia.

• Support programs – Counseling services, helplines, and public awareness campaigns were evaluated for accessibility and impact on those experiencing gambling harm.
• Payment methods – Transaction monitoring and payment blocking technologies were considered as tools to limit harmful gambling behavior.

• Illegal gambling enforcement – The committee addressed challenges in policing offshore operators that target Australian consumers despite being unauthorized.

Inquiry Timeline: Over 1000 Days Since September 2022

The committee’s inquiry into online gambling harms officially commenced on September 15, 2022. During this inquiry, the committee produced the Murphy Report, which contained 31 unanimous recommendations for reforming Australia’s gambling regulations, including Gambling Reform Australia 2025 key changes. As of March 2026, more than 1000 days have elapsed since the Murphy Report was released, yet the government has not issued a full formal response.

This extended timeframe highlights the complex political and legislative challenges surrounding gambling reform in Australia. Despite the delay, the committee continues to hold hearings and gather evidence, maintaining pressure on government agencies to implement effective harm reduction measures. The persistence of the inquiry demonstrates parliamentary commitment to addressing online gambling harms even in the face of executive branch inaction.

How Effective Are Current Advertising Restrictions?

Advertising Restrictions: A Core Focus of the Committee’s Work

• Murphy Report recommendations – The report called for a phased ban on online gambling advertising, recognizing that marketing drives harmful gambling behavior, and contributed to the Gambling Advertising Standards Bill.
• Committee examination – The committee is specifically assessing whether existing ad restrictions achieve intended harm reduction outcomes.
• Scope of inquiry – Advertising effectiveness is explicitly listed as a topic within the committee’s terms of reference for the online gambling harms inquiry.

• Real-world impact assessment – The committee evaluates how ad regulations translate into reduced gambling exposure and harm in practice.
• Comparative analysis – International approaches to gambling ad bans are considered to identify best practices for the Australian context.

• Murphy Report recommendations – The report called for a phased ban on online gambling advertising, recognizing that marketing drives harmful gambling behavior.
• Committee examination – The committee is specifically assessing whether existing ad restrictions achieve intended harm reduction outcomes.
• Scope of inquiry – Advertising effectiveness is explicitly listed as a topic within the committee’s terms of reference for the online gambling harms inquiry.
• Real-world impact assessment – The committee evaluates how ad regulations translate into reduced gambling exposure and harm in practice.
• Comparative analysis – International approaches to gambling ad bans are considered to identify best practices for the Australian context.

The committee seeks evidence on whether advertising restrictions have measurably reduced gambling harm since the Murphy Report’s release, including a review of the 2026 analysis of gambling restrictions. Stakeholders provided input during the March 2026 hearing, offering data on advertising volume changes and consumer awareness. However, the absence of a full government response means many recommendations remain unimplemented, creating a fragmented regulatory environment.

The committee examines pre-Murphy advertising levels against current patterns to identify any natural declines or industry adaptations. It also assesses whether voluntary industry codes have proven sufficient or whether legislative intervention is necessary. This evaluation relies heavily on testimony from government agencies, health organizations, and academic researchers who track advertising metrics and harm indicators.

Stakeholder Perspectives on Advertising Regulations

The committee receives diverse feedback on advertising regulations from multiple stakeholder groups. Government agencies such as the Australian Communications and Media Authority provide data on compliance enforcement and complaint handling. Health advocacy groups like the Australian Medical Association argue that current restrictions are inadequate and that gambling advertising normalizes risky behavior among young people.

Consumer protection organizations emphasize the need for stricter timing and content controls. Meanwhile, industry representatives often highlight existing self-regulatory measures and economic contributions.

The committee weighs these conflicting perspectives to determine whether the current framework protects vulnerable populations or requires strengthening. Consensus appears to center on the need for better data collection and more comprehensive restrictions, though disagreement persists on the appropriate scope and speed of reform.

Support Services and Consumer Protections: Current Programs and Gaps

Support Programs and Education Initiatives Under Review

• National Gambling Helpline – A 24/7 telephone and online service providing counseling and referrals to Australians affected by gambling harm, as part of broader gambling harm prevention programs.
• State-based counseling services – Government-funded face-to-face therapy programs operating in each state and territory, often integrated with mental health services.
• Public awareness campaigns – National and regional media campaigns designed to educate the public about gambling risks and available support, such as the “Betting on You” initiative.
• Financial counseling – Specialized services that assist individuals with gambling-related debt and financial management.
• Self-exclusion programs – Voluntary exclusion systems like the national self-exclusion register that allow individuals to ban themselves from gambling venues and online platforms.
• School-based education – Curriculum resources that teach young people about gambling risks, often developed in partnership with education departments.

• National Gambling Helpline – A 24/7 telephone and online service providing counseling and referrals to Australians affected by gambling harm.
• State-based counseling services – Government-funded face-to-face therapy programs operating in each state and territory, often integrated with mental health services.
• Public awareness campaigns – National and regional media campaigns designed to educate the public about gambling risks and available support, such as the “Betting on You” initiative.

• Financial counseling – Specialized services that assist individuals with gambling-related debt and financial management.
• Self-exclusion programs – Voluntary exclusion systems like the national self-exclusion register that allow individuals to ban themselves from gambling venues and online platforms.

• School-based education – Curriculum resources that teach young people about gambling risks, often developed in partnership with education departments.

Consumer Protection Measures: Current Framework

Consumer protections in Australian gambling regulation include mandatory pre-commitment limits, mandatory notification of losses, and warning labels on gambling products. The committee reviews how these mechanisms function in practice, particularly for online gambling where enforcement is challenging. Government agencies such as the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission monitor misleading advertising and unfair contract terms.

State and territory regulators oversee venue-based protections like clock-in systems and staff training requirements. The committee examines whether these measures adequately protect vulnerable individuals, including those with existing gambling problems and young adults who are particularly susceptible to marketing. Payment blocking initiatives, such as the cashless gambling trial Australia, where financial institutions restrict transactions to gambling operators, also fall under this framework and were discussed in the March 2026 hearing.

Identifying Gaps in Gambling Harm Support Services

The committee identifies gaps by comparing the scale of gambling harm with the capacity and reach of existing support services. Evidence suggests that only a small fraction of problem gamblers access professional help, indicating barriers such as stigma, lack of awareness, or geographic limitations. The committee looks for service duplication, regional shortages, and culturally inappropriate programs for Indigenous communities.

It also assesses whether support services are integrated with general health care, as gambling harm often co-occurs with mental health issues and substance abuse. Preliminary observations from hearings point to inadequate funding for early intervention programs and insufficient training for frontline health workers to recognize gambling-related harm. Filling these gaps is critical because untreated gambling addiction leads to severe financial ruin, relationship breakdown, and increased suicide risk, placing significant burden on families and public health systems.

The most surprising finding is that the committee’s inquiry has now persisted for over 1000 days without a full government response to the Murphy Report, yet parliamentary scrutiny continues unabated through regular hearings and evidence gathering. This demonstrates that legislative oversight can maintain momentum even when executive action stalls.

For readers interested in gambling reform, visit the gambling reform page on Peta Murphy’s website to learn about the 31 recommendations and ongoing advocacy efforts. You can also explore the committee’s official website to access hearing transcripts and consider making a submission before the inquiry formally closes, ensuring your perspective informs the final report.

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