Australia

Report: Australian Politicians Took AU$245K in Tickets to Influence Gambling Ban

APR 16 2025·Updated APR 28 2025

Story

Above: Anthony Albanese speaks during the Labor Party federal election campaign launch in Perth on April 13, 2025. Image credit: Matt Jelonek/Contributor/Bloomberg via Getty Images

The Facts

Reuters reported Wednesday that Australian politicians received approximately $245,000 Australian dollars ($147,000) worth of match tickets from major sporting leagues between June 2023 and March 2024 as part of a coordinated lobbying effort against proposed online gambling advertising restrictions.
Reuters
AsiaOne
According to the parliamentary gift register, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese received AU$29,000 worth of tickets, while Opposition Leader Peter Dutton received AU$21,350. Both attended grand finals and major sporting events as guests of the leagues.
Reuters
Pmnec
Reuters' report claims the Coalition of Major Professional and Participation Sports (COMPPS) orchestrated a strategic campaign, seating politicians near sports officials who were briefed to discuss the impact of the proposed advertising ban.
TimesLIVE
The Economic Times
In 2023, the Albanese government proposed a total ban on social media gambling ads and limited ads on TV an hour before and after live sports. However, Albanese took the issue off the legislative agenda last year after meeting with the National Rugby League (NRL) and Nine Entertainment executives.
Australian Financial Review
ABC
The Sydney Morning Herald
This comes as the NRL claimed in a confidential submission that its gambling-related revenue would be halved if Albanese's ban is implemented, affecting both direct gambling income and broadcast rights valued at AU$400 million annually.
Reuters
CQUniversity
Australia is responsible for the world's highest per-capita gambling losses, with Australians gambling away approximately AU$25 billion each year. Consultancy firm H2 Gambling Capital estimates that Australian gamblers will lose AU$34 billion in 2025.
Global Banking And Finance Review
Aihw

Sources Split

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The Spin

Narrative A

The Albanese government and politicians across the aisle are accepting gifts that create concerning conflicts of interest, prioritizing industry profits over public health, and ignoring overwhelming public support for reform and a parliamentary inquiry's recommendation for a comprehensive ban on gambling advertising.

Australian Financial Review

The Sydney Morning Herald

Narrative B

The sporting codes protect their financial sustainability and the future of Australian sports, as gambling revenue represents their fastest-growing income stream and supports broadcast rights deals worth hundreds of millions of dollars. A blanket ban on gambling advertising online will destroy the industry.