David Pocock calls for Australian-wide levy on sports bets
Independent senator David Pocock has proposed a nationwide levy of around 1.5 to 2 per cent on every sports bet placed in Australia, arguing it could offset the financial impact of stricter gambling advertising restrictions.
The proposal comes amid the federal government’s response to the Murphy Report, which recommended a comprehensive crackdown on gambling advertising, including a phased ban across broadcast, online and sponsorship channels.
Sure. So if/when David Pocock takes a pay cut commensurate with the revenue the government gets from sports betting advertising, after making so much money playing sports betting sponsored sport, I'll respect his opinion as being authentic #skininthegame https://t.co/ySA8n9ji0B
— ralph horowitz (@rtralphy) April 23, 2026
The Anthony Albanese government has instead opted for a more limited approach, focusing on restricting gambling ads during certain hours and reducing exposure to children, rather than implementing a full ban.
Pocock has criticised the plan as insufficient, arguing it falls short of the Murphy Report’s recommendations and leaves sport overly reliant on gambling revenue. He said a turnover-style levy applied to all wagers could replace sponsorship income and provide additional funding for grassroots and women’s sport.
“History shows us that partial bans don’t work,” Senator Pocock told the ABC.
“That’s why this landmark Murphy report, which was backed by every party in the parliament and every independent in the parliament, said a three-year phased-in ban and all gambling advertising is the only way that we can actually deal with this.
“The government, when they announced they were going with a partial ban … if you actually read the government’s own analysis, it shows that a full ban would be cheaper to implement because there’s less regulation involved — it’s just a blanket ban that comes in over three years and would actually provide more benefits to Australians.
“So we’ve got a government that has gone for the option that doesn’t actually put Australians first.”
Communications Minister Anika Wells said the reforms strike a balance between harm reduction and allowing Australians to make their own choices.
Pocock’s levy could send bookmakers to the wall
Australian betting sites are already at a disadvantage against offshore betting sites, with the heavy taxation and licensing fees imposed, putting up barriers to entry and making it tough to turn to a profit.
The ban on new account incentives has done major players like Sportsbet, which is owned offshore, a huge service by making it hard to break into the wagering market down under.
Critics argue, imposing a levy on every bet placed on sports will not just make it harder for new bookmakers to emerge, it will also send punters (who are already leaving regulated options) into the arms of Curacao or Asia-based overseas operators.
If Pocock wanted to enact real change, that would make a difference without annoying those of us that love a punt, he should tackle the lack of regulation surrounding online casinos and poker.
