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Governments have a financial vested interest not to reform gambling laws. Here’s why
Magazine article   Open access

Governments have a financial vested interest not to reform gambling laws. Here’s why

Barbara Kinder and Michael B Charles
The Conversation
27/07/2026
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Governments have a financial vested interest not to reform gambling laws. Here’s whyView
Published (Version of record) Open CC BY-ND V4.0

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Abstract

Reforming Australia’s gambling industry has been one of the most high-profile political issues of recent years. Constantly in the headlines, there are high levels of public support to bring in tougher rules, including gambling advertising bans. But the federal government has been reluctant to act. It has introduced its new gambling legislation to parliament, but the bill has been criticised as not going far enough to address the problem. There’s been a lot of speculation as to why there’s been so little political appetite to bring in tougher measures. One key reason is governments have a clear conflict of interest: they rely on gambling revenue while also being responsible for reducing gambling harm.

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