When we sit down to watch the footy with our kids, we want them to see the game — not a constant stream of messages telling them that betting is part of it. 🏉❤️
And during our current National Child Protection Week, running runs 6–12 September 2026, it’s a timely question for parents to ask: what are our children seeing, hearing and learning from the world around them?
For many Australian families, gambling has become increasingly woven into the sporting experience — from betting odds and promotions to gambling brands appearing alongside the teams and players children know and love.
But that’s about to change.
From 2027, new gambling advertising reforms will change what families see around live sport. While gambling messages won’t disappear completely, the changes are designed to reduce children’s exposure to wagering advertising during sport.
This year’s National Child Protection Week theme, “Every Conversation Matters: Shifting Conversation to Action,” is a powerful reminder that protecting children isn’t only about what we do when something goes wrong. It’s also about the everyday environments we create around them — and the messages they absorb along the way.
So, what will your family actually notice when Footy 2027 arrives? What gambling messages might kids still see? And how can parents help children recognise the sales pitch behind them?
We break down what Australian parents need to know.