It’s now over two years since the “You Win Some, You Lose More” report called for urgent gambling reform. But the government still hasn’t acted on its most critical recommendation: a total ban on gambling advertising.

Alliance Voices Advocate Mark Kempster, who bravely gave evidence to the inquiry, says: “If the government think they’re doing enough, I can tell them right now they’re costing lives.” He describes feeling abandoned after years of advocacy.

Alliance CEO Martin Thomas says the inquiry was “a perfect blueprint”—but warns: “The government has a choice between vested interests and the majority of Australians.”

Enough delay. Gambling harm is rising.

Gambling harm cost Victoria over $14 billion in 2022–23. Pokies are driving the damage — two-thirds of losses came from those experiencing the most harm.

Louise* was just seven when she first noticed jewellery and household items disappearing from her home. Her mother was selling furniture and appliances to fund her gambling addiction. By the time Louise turned 14, the situation had reached a devastating turning point.

"I came home one day when I was 14 years old to find I didn't have a home anymore," said Louise, now an Alliance Voices Advocate. "We'd also go a few days at a time without much to eat."

Alliance CEO Martin Thomas said: “Everyone is being harmed here — not just the gamblers, but their families, workplaces, and the broader community. The government knows that mandatory carded play is the gold standard for reducing harm from gambling. It's time for Labor to put their foot down and demonstrate their progressive credentials, their commitment to social justice, and the people they represent."

Tabcorp's push to lure more gamblers into pubs with "happy hours" and inducements is a direct result of government delay in acting on the Murphy Review.

Martin Thomas of The Alliance warns: "Australia’s infamous title as the biggest gambling losers in the world will only get worse without action, as reflected in these latest moves by Tabcorp."

It’s time the government stopped stalling and implemented all 31 recommendations to reduce gambling harm.

This week’s National General Assembly of Local Government in Canberra is themed 'National Priorities Need Local Solutions'. The Alliance is on the ground, showing attendees just how much gambling harm is costing their communities.

Imagine if every council joined our Councils for Gambling Reform—we’d build a national force for real change. Let’s take local leadership to the federal level.

Join us. Back reform. Donate today.

It’s been two years since the Murphy Report — and the government has done nothing. Mark Kempster joined ABC’s Hack to expose the constant targeting by gambling companies:

"When they know you're a big gambler and they've got you on the hook, they'll send you so many different promotions. It's the same as if you were trying to get off cigarettes, and having someone walk in and offer you a cigarette every day, or every hour. You're not going to be able to get to a point where you can fix yourself because you just have it in your face so much."

We want Peta Murphy’s inquiry report fully implemented, including all 31 recommendations. That means banning gambling ads, banning inducements, and creating a National Regulator. ▶️⌚6m8s

In Melbourne’s eastern suburbs, pokies are stealing nearly $8 million every week — from communities least able to afford it. “They’re all in the poorest postcodes. It’s a profound social injustice,” said The Alliance’s Chief Advocate Tim Costello. The damage is far beyond dollars: families torn apart, lives lost. “I’ve done a number of funerals of people who out of shame and guilt took their lives.” Despite two decades of calls for safer gambling through carded play, the State Government continues to delay. “The State… has profoundly failed its duty of care.”

Research showing that the costs of gambling to Victorian’s have doubled requires the government to speed up their ‘landmark reforms’ and implement mandatory carded play in all Victorian pubs and clubs urgently said Alliance for Gambling Reform CEO, Martin Thomas.

The report, Social Costs of Gambling to Victoria 2023, commissioned by the government to update the previous report from 2014-15 examined both tangible and intangible costs of gambling across 2022-23 to Victoria associated with all forms of gambling.

Ban Gambling Ads: Two Years Since Murphy Report

Join The Alliance and others for a powerful panel marking two years since the Murphy Report. Over $50 billion lost to gambling—and still no reform. It's time to end gambling ads.

📅 Wed 26 June, 6–7:30pm
📍Balwyn Park Centre, VIC
🎥 Livestream: https://www.youtube.com/live/sMscAUR2pEI

Hear more from Rev Tim Costello, Kate Chaney MP, Samantha Thomas, Ron Issko, and hosts Monique Ryan and Zoe Daniel. Let’s demand change.