Australians are the world’s biggest losers. Last year, Australians lost $34.8 billion in bets. That’s more than Australian households spend on electricity and gas ($29.5 billion) or alcohol ($26.8 billion) – so it seems safe to say we have a problem.

And it’s not because of some inherent aspect of Australian culture that wants to bet on two flies crawling up a wall. It’s the predictable outcome of a predatory gambling industry that successive governments have been unwilling to take on.

Every year, the gambling industry destroys lives, and it’s even plotting to expand its reach by targeting new demographics such as young women.

In 2023, after a parliamentary inquiry into online gambling (the “Murphy review”), it seemed like change might be coming. The inquiry included pollies from the Labor, Liberal and National parties, as well as independent Kate Chaney. Despite their usual appetite for animosity, the cross-party committee unanimously endorsed 31 recommendations to reduce gambling harm, including a phased-in ban on advertising for online gambling.

But, despite having a huge majority in the lower house, and despite previous pledges to honour the memory of the now-deceased committee chair Peta Murphy, the Albanese government has done nothing to implement any of these recommendations. Reports initially........

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