Arabic version: كيف يمكن للأستراليين الحد من إعلانات المقامرة على الهواتف

According to The Guardian, people receiving gambling advertising by text message have protections under the Spam Act 2003 and Spam Regulations 2021. Marketing texts require consent, must provide an easy way to opt out, and senders must honour an opt-out request within five working days.

If a company continues to send direct gambling advertisements after an opt-out request, consumers can complain to the Australian Communications and Media Authority, which can investigate. Different rules apply to browser advertisements. Advertising for banned services, including online casinos, live sports betting and unlicensed offshore betting sites, is tightly controlled and can be reported to Acma and the NSW Liquor and Gaming Authority.

Gambling ads also must not be misleading or socially irresponsible. They cannot target children, make exaggerated claims, portray gambling as a route to success, or link gambling with alcohol. Ads that breach those standards can likewise be reported to Acma and the NSW Liquor and Gaming Authority.

New federal laws are being rolled out over three years. From 1 January 2027, people must be over 18, logged into a website and age verified before gambling ads can be presented to them. Online services will also have to provide a platform opt-out function. The government has pledged a one-stop register for opting out of online betting ads, although its operation remains unclear.

For now, Google’s My Ad Centre offers a “sensitive” ads setting that can limit gambling advertising for users logged into their Google accounts, though it cannot guarantee that ads will not appear. Search activity may also affect the advertising shown. Adblockers can offer another way to limit browser ads. Gambling Help provides 24/7, free and anonymous support online or on 1800 858 858.