Australia’s gambling toll grows as government sidesteps total ad ban
An outright ban on gambling advertising would be extremely popular – so why isn’t the government doing it?
On this episode of Dollars & Sense, Matt Grudnoff joins Elinor to talk about the federal government’s “piss poor” online gambling reforms and the push to pay super to under 18s.
This discussion was recorded on Thursday 9 July 2026.
If this episode raised issues for you, you can call the National Gambling Helpline on 1800 858 858 for free, professional and confidential support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Or visit Gambling Help Online at www.gamblinghelponline.org.au.
If you or anyone you know needs help, you can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or online at www.lifeline.org.au.
Host: Matt Grudnoff, Senior Economist, the Australia Institute // @mattgrudnoff
Host: Elinor Johnston-Leek, Senior Content Producer, the Australia Institute // @elinorjohnstonleek
Check out the new Australia Institute podcast series, What’s the Point? with Richard Denniss. It’s available now on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your favourite shows.
Show notes:
National Gambling Toll, the Australia Institute
Online gambling “reshaping a whole generation” as government reforms fall well short, Follow the Money, the Australia Institute (May 2026)
Only thing standing in way of gambling reform is government’s cowardice by Morgan Harrington & Jack Thrower, The New Daily (November 2025)
Super for under-18s is a gendered issue, costing women up to $11,000 at retirement by Gemma Killen, The Point (July 2026)
Polling – banning gambling advertisements, the Australia Institute (May 2026)
Teenage gambling in Australia by Matt Saunders and Morgan Harrington, the Australia Institute (April 2025)
Theme music: Blue Dot Sessions
We’d love to hear your feedback on this series, so send in your questions, comments or suggestions for future episodes to podcasts@australiainstitute.org.au. Subscribe to Dollars & Sense on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts or wherever you get your favourite podcasts.
Between the Lines Newsletter
The biggest stories and the best analysis from the team at the Australia Institute, delivered to your inbox every fortnight.
You might also like
The sports betting double standard: why our politicians blinked on gambling ads
Everyone with a smartphone walks around with the entire internet in their pocket, but thanks to the gambling industry that also means there’s a casino in everyone’s pocket as well.
Over $104 billion lost to gambling since Murphy Review
New research by The Australia Institute shows that Australians have lost over $104 billion to gambling in the three years since the Murphy Review released its final report into the harms of online gambling. Today the Albanese Government is expected to introduce legislation in response to the Murphy Review. If passed, it will introduce certain
Only thing standing in way of gambling reform is government’s cowardice
Australians are the world’s biggest losers. Last year, Australians lost $34.8 billion in bets. That’s more than Australian households spend on electricity and gas ($29.5 billion) or alcohol ($26.8 billion) – so it seems safe to say we have a problem.