The easy, popular measure that could cut households costs missing from the budget

If you hadn't heard, this year's federal budget was all about easing cost-of-living pressures on families.

Yet there is a major cost-of-living initiative that is low cost, non-inflationary and would tackle an issue that is a bigger drain on the household budget than power bills.

But it is not in the budget and most likely it won't be in the opposition's budget reply speech either.

Which is puzzling because it is also an initiative that has the overwhelming support of Australians, with more than seven out 10 Australians supporting it.

It is gambling reform and moving, among other things, to ban gambling advertising.

Research from consultancy firm Equity Economics has shown that spiralling gambling losses are a bigger drain on the household budget than the cost of electricity and gas, while gambling losses are growing at a rate faster than the cost of housing.

The research also revealed that Australia's staggering annual gambling losses of $31.5 billion eclipses that spent by the federal government on aged care and almost rivals the expenditure for the NDIS.

Gambling losses amount to $1527 for every adult in Australia with devastating financial impact on families. It is a hole in the bucket that continually drains critical household savings.

The report laments that while governments have responded swiftly in recent years to the cost-of-living crisis, there has been a complete policy vacuum on mitigating the cost-of-living impacts of gambling.

Yet if the major parties have their way, gambling reform and the complete ban on gambling advertising will be largely absent from the upcoming election campaign also - notwithstanding the constant rhetoric that both sides will sprout about the cost-of-living crisis.

Almost two years ago a parliamentary inquiry delivered its report to the government - with the committee members from both the major parties and other parties in unanimous agreement - that we must take urgent action to reduce online gambling harm.

The Murphy Report had 31 recommendations including a complete ban on all gambling advertising phased in over three years.

The Albanese government is yet to officially respond to the report despite its earlier commitments to act. And the opposition is only a fraction better in committing to extending the ban on gambling advertising to an hour before and after live sport.

While it is "something", it is far, far short of what the Australian people support.

New polling by The Australia Institute shows that three in four Australian's (76 per cent) support a total ban on gambling ads phased in over three years. This is an increase on the 72 per cent reported in a similar poll conducted by Redbridge late in 2024.

Four in five (81 per cent) Australians support banning gambling ads on social media and online.

Nearly nine in 10 (87 per cent) support banning gambling ads during prime time TV hours for family and children.

More than three-quarters (79 per cent) support banning gambling ads in sporting stadiums and on players' uniforms.

With such a surge of public support it is perplexing to witness the gross inaction on the major parties on gambling reform.

The cost-of-living research only compounds the argument for urgent action.

It showed that for every person that gambles six other people are impacted. This makes gambling a critical but ignored cost-of-living pressure for families.

Australian households spent $3045 on gambling in 2022-23, more than they spent on essential utilities like electricity, gas, and other fuels ($2821).

Gambling expenditure increased by 18.2 per cent, more than expenditure growth on education (17.5 per cent), housing (14.2 per cent) and three times faster than growth in electricity, gas and other fuel expenditures.

And there has been a 25 per cent spike in gambling losses on pre-pandemic losses.

So, what is the reason behind the inaction by the two major parties?

One can only speculate.

Could it be that the gambling industry and those who benefit from it are among the largest political donors? Could it be a result of them using more lobbyists than any other industry?

Or could it be a result of the endless stream of hospitality invites the industry lavishes on our political leaders, such as invitations to major sporting events, which then gives them unprecedented access to lobby even more.

There are many who are gravely concerned about the undermining of the Australian democratic system in recent years. It's a concern that was highlighted by the two major parties stitching together a deal that critics said clearly favoured them over other political rivals.

But at the centre of the unholy trinity of political donations, unfair access (hospitality) and closed-door lobbying by the gambling industry and its allies are worse than any other industry.

Unfortunately, it is a strategy that appears to be paying dividends.

It is hard to know what more evidence our political leaders need to have to actually move to adopt meaningful and lasting gambling reform.

It is overwhelmingly popular among the electorate, there is a blueprint for major reform that followed an extensive and thorough parliamentary inquiry and there is a significant cost of living benefit to families across Australia.

But will the evidence to support reform and a voter demand for change bring about reform?