David Pocock accuses Labor of claiming victory for doing the ‘bare minimum’ on gambling reform

Independent senator David Pocock has criticised Labor for pressing ahead with its controversial gambling reforms as the legislation heads to the Senate, where the Coalition will help pass the measures.

The Interactive Gambling Amendment (Gambling Reform) Bill 2026 passed the House of Representatives 103 to 14 on Tuesday.

Changes include a partial ban on advertising, restrictions on commissions based on customer activity, and a new opt-out register for gambling ads funded by a levy applied on betting companies.

On Wednesday, Senator Pocock – who is among the strongest critics of the proposed laws – warned Australians would be “hugely disappointed” by Labor’s reforms.

He pointed to the You Win Some, You Lose More report chaired by the late Labor MP Peta Murphy as a “blueprint” that had been effectively ignored by the government.

A key recommendation of the Murphy report was a comprehensive, total ban on online gambling advertising. The government rejected this in its formal response released in May, more than 1000 days after the report was handed down.

“The government is trying to sell us this ‘getting the balance right’ (idea), which is three ads per hour on TV and a fairly unworkable opt-out system online,” Senator Pocock told ABC News Breakfast.

“It’s really tragic to see vested interests and their capture of the major parties, meaning that we don’t get evidence-based policy in this country.

“And we don’t get policy that actually puts Aussies and our kids ahead of the gambling companies.”

Senator Pocock added the government had also turned a blind eye to the Murphy report’s calls for a national regulator and total, immediate ban on inducements.

“The system is so broken, and it’s no wonder we’re the biggest losers in the world per capita,” Senator Pocock said.

“And now the government’s trying to claim this huge victory for just doing the bare minimum that really doesn’t deal with the issues that we’re facing.”

Coalition pledges support despite MP protests

Labor secured Coalition support for the legislation on Tuesday after accepting 16 amendments put forward by the opposition.

But despite this, NewsWire understands six Coalition members dissented and expressed a desire for the proposed changes to go further.

Of these, two were Nationals MP Pat Conaghan and Liberal MP Andrew Wallace who crossed the floor of the House of Representatives.

Mr Wallace told ABC Radio National he believed the reforms were a “once-in-a-career opportunity” to make a stand.

“I don’t think the Bill went far enough,” he said on Wednesday. “This is effectively putting Dracula in charge of the blood bank.

“It’s the gambling companies that will determine the red-flagged people, the people who are problem gamblers.

“These are the same people who are preying upon those same individuals.

“I do not trust the gambling companies to act with good intent when it comes to this.”

Amendments accepted by Labor included pushing up the blackout period for gambling ads ahead of live sport to 15 minutes from five, pushing the start time of TV and radio restrictions to 5am from 6am, and banning betting companies from providing commissions based on customer activity.

Inducements would also be banned for three months after Betstop deregistration as well as the enforcement of “strong penalties” if opt-out options are not displayed.

The latter refers to a new opt-out register for gambling ads funded by a levy applied on wagering operators.