Australia Launches New Opt-Out Registry for Gambling Ads

The Australian government, under Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, is introducing a new opt-out registry for gambling advertising. This initiative, known as the Wagering Advertising Opt-out Register, allows individuals to exclude themselves from receiving wagering advertisements from online sportsbooks.

The new registry will be funded through a sports wagering levy on licensed operators. This measure is part of a broader effort to strengthen the Interactive Gambling Act and offer further protections to consumers.

The bill also introduces new restrictions on betting inducements from wagering operators, putting the onus on operators to identify at-risk customers and prohibit certain 'commission-based referral arrangements.' This move is aimed at reducing gambling-related harm, which is a significant public health concern in Australia.