Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese recently responded to calls for a ban on gambling advertisements, but did not commit to a comprehensive ban. He warned that a hasty prohibition could force gamblers to turn to unregulated and untaxed overseas platforms, thereby undermining existing governance efforts.
When asked whether he supports the advertising ban, Albanese emphasized that the government will not "legislate on the fly," but will focus on existing harm reduction measures. He pointed out that the national self-exclusion system BetStop has effectively helped problem gamblers stay away from platforms, and the government has also imposed restrictions on credit card online betting.
He stated that the issue is not with ordinary recreational gambling (such as weekend horse racing), but with the groups troubled by problem gambling. Currently, slot machines remain the largest source of gambling harm in Australia.
Additionally, Albanese mentioned that the Australian government is also concerned about the risks of cryptocurrency scams and underground cash networks. He emphasized that the technical complexity and global nature of gambling platforms require cautious policy-making.
Meanwhile, the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) continues to block unlicensed offshore gambling websites, with hundreds of related domain names being blocked.
