Interactive Gambling Amendment (Gambling Reform) Bill 2026

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RE: INTERACTIVE GAMBLING AMENDMENT (GAMBLING REFORM) BILL 2026

The St Vincent de Paul Society (the Society) welcomes the opportunity to make this submission on the Interactive Gambling Amendment (Gambling Reform) Bill 2026 (the Bill). The Society has advocated for gambling reform since 2010 and is a member of the Alliance for Gambling Reform. Most importantly, our members and staff witness first-hand how gambling harm leaves households without resources for food, rent and bills, and we call on the Senate to strengthen this Bill to match the scale of the harm.

The Society urges stronger gambling reforms, including a total advertising ban, online inducement prohibition, a national regulator, and treating gambling as a public health issue. It criticizes partial measures, advocates for an opt-in model, and calls for comprehensive harm reduction strategies, emphasizing the urgent need to protect children, reduce harm, and address Australia’s record high gambling losses.