# The Interactive Gambling Amendment (Gambling Reform) Act 2026, in plain terms > What Act No. 72, 2026 changes from 1 January 2027 for people who bet online: advertising, payment blocking and keno. Plain summary, dated sources. Source: https://bookiechecklist.com/gambling-reform-act-2026/ Updated: 2026-11-13 The Interactive Gambling Amendment (Gambling Reform) Act 2026, Act No. 72, tightens wagering advertising, blocks payments to illegal sites and bans online keno. Most main changes apply to licensed operators, advertisers and websites from 1 January 2027. Source: Act No. 72, 2026 as made, Royal Assent 26 August 2026, checked 13 November 2026. This is a plain-language summary, not legal advice. ## How the Act reached law The bills were introduced on 2 July 2026, passed on 19 August 2026 and received Royal Assent on 26 August 2026. Those dates match Bills Digest No. 8, 2026-27 and the Parliament's bill page. Sources differ on when the government answered the earlier advertising report: 5 May, 12 May and 13 May 2026 each appear. We use none of them as a fact; the Bills Digest gives 12 May as the tabling date. **Where this stands:** the passage dates are confirmed from two sources; one earlier date is disputed between sources. ## What starts on 1 January 2027 **Main changes from 1 January 2027 · Act No. 72, 2026, Bills Digest No. 8, 2026-27 and Department pages · checked 2026-11-13** | Area | What changes | Start | |---|---|---| | Live sport | Wagering ads are banned during live sport | 1 January 2027 | | Television | No more than three wagering ads an hour | 1 January 2027 | | Uniforms and venues | Ban on player uniforms and in sporting venues | 1 January 2027 | | Faces of ads | No celebrities or influencers as advertising faces | 1 January 2027 | | Opt-out register | A register to opt out of wagering advertising; start by proclamation | By proclamation | | Payments | Payment blocking for illegal sites | 1 January 2027 | | Keno | Online keno and foreign-matched lotteries banned | 1 January 2027 | | Commissions | Operators may not pay commission tied to customer activity (s 62ZT) | 1 January 2027 | The wording of each row is in the Act as made on legislation.gov.au. Where this page and the Act differ, the Act wins. **Where this stands:** seven changes start on 1 January 2027 and the opt-out register starts by proclamation. ## What the minister will set later Direct advertising of incentives to designated customers is banned from a date the minister is to set. Designated customers include accounts opened in the last 14 days, people who left BetStop in the last 90 days and customers flagged at risk. The date is Not confirmed on 2026-11-13. The Department's Gambling Reforms 2026 page is the place to watch for it. **Where this stands:** one ban has no start date yet, and the advertising opt-out register waits on a proclamation. ## What it means for you as a customer Most changes land on advertisers and operators, not on the way you bet. You may see fewer ads during live sport and no celebrities or influencers fronting wagering ads. You will be able to use an opt-out register once it starts. The payment-blocking rule targets illegal sites, which is another reason to run the checks in [how to spot an illegal betting site](https://bookiechecklist.com/spot-an-illegal-betting-site/). The sources read here do not describe any new penalty for a person who bets. **Where this stands:** the Act mainly changes advertising and payments; nothing read describes a new duty on the person betting. ## Why this site carries no offers The commission ban in s 62ZT stops licensed operators paying affiliates for activity such as accounts, deposits or bets. The Act also has an anti-avoidance rule that has applied since 26 August 2026. This site therefore runs without partner links or offers while the rules are reviewed. Related rules for customers are in [the NCPF summary](https://bookiechecklist.com/consumer-protection-framework-ncpf/), and the register for people who want to exclude themselves is in [BetStop explained](https://bookiechecklist.com/betstop-explained/). On illegal services, see [offshore betting sites](https://bookiechecklist.com/illegal-offshore-bookmakers/). **Where this stands:** the site stays free of partner links until a lawyer has reviewed the commission and advertising rules. ## Sources - [Interactive Gambling Amendment (Gambling Reform) Act 2026, No. 72, as made](https://www.legislation.gov.au/C2026A00072/asmade/text) - [Parliament of Australia: Bills Digest No. 8, 2026-27](https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/bd/bd2627/27bd008) - [Parliament of Australia: bill status](https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/Bills_Search_Results/Result?bId=r7520) - [Department of Infrastructure: Gambling Reforms 2026](https://www.infrastructure.gov.au/media-communications/media-gambling-laws-regulation/gambling/gambling-reforms-2026) - [Minister's release, 19 August 2026](https://minister.infrastructure.gov.au/wells/media-release/strongest-ever-gambling-reforms-passed) ## 18+ and where to get help 18+ only. Gambling can be harmful. Need help? Call Gambling Help Online on 1800 858 858 (free, 24/7) or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au. To exclude yourself from licensed Australian online and phone wagering providers, register with BetStop at betstop.gov.au. We are not a bookmaker and do not take bets. ## FAQ **When did the Act become law?** Act No. 72, 2026 received Royal Assent on 26 August 2026 after Parliament passed the bills on 19 August 2026. Most of the main changes start on 1 January 2027. **What changes on 1 January 2027?** The brief lists limits on wagering advertising during live sport, a cap of three ads an hour on television, a ban on celebrities and influencers as advertising faces, a register to opt out of advertising, payment blocking for illegal sites and a ban on online keno. **Does the Act change how I place a bet?** The sources read describe changes to advertising, payments to illegal sites and keno, and to commissions paid by operators. They do not describe a change to placing a bet with a licensed provider. **What is still to be decided?** The minister is to set a later date for the ban on direct advertising of incentives to designated customers, and a proclamation is to start the advertising opt-out register. Neither date is confirmed on 2026-11-13. **Is this legal advice?** No. It is a plain-language summary of public documents. The Act's text on legislation.gov.au is the source to rely on, and a lawyer is the person to ask.