Albanese Gives Ground on Gambling

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has given ground on gambling inducements as Labor and the Coalition inch towards a deal on wagering legislation. Albanese met with Angus Taylor in Canberra on Monday to negotiate a deal, and has promised some limits on inducements and new rules on gambling advertising.

The Albanese government is willing to tighten rules on betting inducements, but is less likely to budge on TV and online advertisements. A parliamentary inquiry heard allegations that gambling companies supplied drugs and alcohol to high-spending gamblers, highlighting the need for stronger regulations.

The Coalition is demanding changes to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) as part of the negotiations on wagering legislation. Independent senator David Pocock said it was a 'tragedy' that the government was not prepared to be tougher on curbing gambling advertising, while Independent MP Kate Chaney accused the government of 'listening to the money and the power' on gambling ad policy.

The government's proposed reforms limit online gambling ads on television to three per hour between 6am and 8.30pm. A deal on gambling reforms is expected to be finalized as soon as Tuesday's Coalition joint partyroom meeting. The Greens and crossbenchers have demanded stronger action on gambling reforms, with Senator Sarah Hanson-Young urging Angus Taylor not to fold on the issue.

## Why it matters The stakes are high for the Albanese government, which needs to get the legislation through parliament this week. The proposed reforms have been criticized for falling short of the ambition of a parliamentary inquiry, and the government is under pressure to take stronger action on gambling advertising and inducements. With a deal expected to be finalized soon, the outcome will have significant implications for the gambling industry and vulnerable individuals who may be affected by problem gambling.