Salvos join gambling reform advocacy campaign
BY EMILY SEILER*
The Salvation Army Australia has led a joint parliamentary advocacy campaign with Anglicare Australia, St Vincent de Paul Society and UnitingCare Australia to raise awareness of the significant impacts of gambling harm and advocate for stronger protections for Australian communities.
The campaign was undertaken in response to the Interactive Gambling Amendment (Gambling Reform) Bill 2026, which was being considered by Parliament.
While The Salvation Army acknowledged that the proposed legislation represented a step towards reform, we remained concerned that it did not adequately address the scale of gambling harm being experienced across the country or deliver the level of protection from gambling harm Australia needs.
Drawing on our extensive frontline service delivery across Australia, The Salvation Army sees firsthand the devastating impact gambling harm can have on individuals, families and communities.
Gambling harm is more than financial loss and is a contributing factor in the lives of many people who engage with our frontline services. Through services such as emergency relief, financial counselling, homelessness support, youth and community programs, we see severe financial hardship, relationship breakdown, mental ill-health and social isolation resulting from gambling-related harm.
A key component of the campaign was a parliamentary engagement day held at Australian Parliament House on the 12 August 2026.
Together with our partner organisations, The Salvation Army invited Members of Parliament and Senators to meet directly with frontline workers and volunteers who support people the people and communities impacted by gambling harm.
Our organisations attended 17 meetings on the day, with additional meetings with MPs, Senators and their advisors both online and at Parliament House in the following weeks. These conversations provided decision-makers with valuable insights into the lived realities of those experiencing gambling harm and the resulting demand being placed on community services.
Snapshots from the day's meetings. Images: Supplied
Through this collaborative advocacy effort, The Salvation Army worked to ensure that the experiences of the people and communities we serve were heard by decision-makers during a critical period of legislative reform.
The campaign reinforced our commitment to evidence-based policy solutions that reduce gambling harm, strengthen community wellbeing and support positive outcomes that safeguard Australians from gambling harm.
*Emily Seiler is a Policy and Advocacy Advisor with The Salvation Army and has also worked as part of TSA's Moneycare team.
