Lessons from NSW's transport gambling ad ban

As Parliament returns to Canberra this week, NSW's recent decision to remove gambling advertisements from public transport offers an important lesson in what meaningful reform looks like. It's a reminder that change happens not through rhetoric alone but through decisive action backed by a clear purpose.

The NSW transport ban is significant in both scale and intent. When fully implemented, it will clear gambling advertisements from nearly 800 station billboards, over 3,500 buses, and dozens of digital displays across our most populous state. More than a policy shift, it acknowledges that our public spaces should serve the public good.

Yet this progress at the state level starkly contrasts the current federal landscape. Despite the comprehensive work of the Murphy inquiry and overwhelming evidence of gambling harm in our communities, we appear to be facing a period of federal inaction on gambling advertising reform. The political calculus seems clear: with an election on the horizon, difficult decisions are being deferred.

The cost of this hesitation is measurable. Australian gambling losses have reached $32 billion annually - the highest per capita losses globally. Behind these numbers are real stories: families under financial stress, relationships strained, and lives disrupted. When over a million Australians either experience or live with severe gambling problems, we can't afford to treat reform as something that can always wait until tomorrow.

But there's reason for optimism. NSW's transport ban demonstrates that meaningful reform is achievable when we balance public interest with practical implementation. The 12-month transition period shows how change can be managed methodically, giving stakeholders time to adapt while maintaining clear direction.

The path forward requires us to build on this momentum. The federal parliament has the Murphy inquiry's recommendations ready for action. The public appetite for change is evident. What's needed now is the political will to match the public mood.

As our federal representatives gather in Canberra this week, they face a clear choice: embrace the momentum for reform that NSW has created, or allow another opportunity for national leadership to pass. The gambling industry's influence in sport and media remains significant, but as NSW has shown, it's not insurmountable.

Reform was never going to be easy. But NSW has provided a template for action that proves it's possible. The question isn't whether Australia will eventually address gambling advertising – it's whether we'll do it now, when we have the chance, or wait until more Australians have been harmed.