Wesley Mission has welcomed the Senate inquiry into the Interactive Gambling Amendment (Gambling Reform) Bill 2026, saying it is a crucial opportunity for Parliament to strengthen the legislation so it better protects Australian children, families and communities from gambling harm.
While the Bill is a step forward, Wesley Mission says it still falls short of implementing the full suite of evidence-based reforms recommended by the bipartisan Murphy Parliamentary Inquiry.
Wesley Mission CEO, Rev Stu Cameron, says the Senate inquiry is an important opportunity to ensure the legislation reflects the evidence and recommendations of the Murphy Report.
The Murphy Report is the product of one of the most comprehensive examinations of gambling harm ever undertaken in Australia. Its unanimous recommendations are evidence-based, bipartisan and provide a clear roadmap for reducing gambling harm and protecting children from the normalisation of gambling.
The problem with this Bill is not that it does nothing,it is that it does way too little, while leaving way too much power in the hands of an industry that profits from harm. Parliament should not settle for reform that manages gambling advertising at the margins or creates new loopholes where protections should be strengthened.
If the Government is serious about breaking the link between gambling and sport, protecting children, and reducing the saturation of gambling advertising, then this Bill must be strengthened to match the evidence of its own Murphy Report and the community’s expectations.
Australia is the world’s gold medallist when it comes to gambling losses and it is daylight second. We have a responsibility to lead the world in protecting children and reducing gambling harm.”
Wesley Mission continues to support the key recommendations of the Murphy Report, including:
● a comprehensive, phased ban on gambling advertising across all media
● the establishment of a national gambling regulator
● a ban on gambling inducements, including bonus bets and other incentives designed to encourage continued gambling
● recognising gambling harm as a public health issue requiring a coordinated national response.
Wesley Mission urges the Senate committee to hear from people with lived experience of gambling harm, public health experts, researchers and community organisations to ensure the final legislation delivers meaningful and lasting reform.