Australia introduces new responsible gambling rules

The Australian government has introduced a raft of new responsible gambling rules, designed to make gambling advertisements in the country more focused on safer play practices.

The move has come as part of the newly updated National Consumer Protection Framework and has been executed in conjunction with state and territory authorities. They have also worked together on player verification and staff training procedures.

Operators who run gambling advertisements will now have to display at least one of a selection of preset safer gambling messages on their ads. The choices are:

• Chances are, you’re about to lose.
• Is this really a bet you want to place?
• What’s gambling really costing you?
• What are you prepared to lose today?
• Set a deposit limit.
• Imagine what you could be buying instead.
• You win some. You lose more.
• What are you really gambling with?

All gambling advertisements must use at least one of these messages. Some have been flagged for use in specific forms of media, such as TV adverts, radio, print, or online.

The taglines must also be accompanied by a message encouraging gamblers to contact a confidential support line or visit a gambling harm prevention website.

The new responsible gambling rules are expected to come into force on 30 March 2023.