Australia’s politicians courted by gambling giants – 19 MPs defend accepting perks

Lea Hogg October 1, 2024

As Australia’s federal government grapples with proposed gambling advertising restrictions, new data reveals that gambling companies have extended significant hospitality to federal politicians, raising concerns about undue influence on key legislative decisions. The Alliance for Gambling Reform (AGR) has flagged the gifts as an “undemocratic opportunity for lobbying,” a claim that has garnered attention as gambling ad reforms inch closer to realisation. A recent analysis conducted by the AGR found that since 2022, 19 federal politicians from both major parties have accepted hospitality or tickets from prominent wagering companies like Tabcorp and Sportsbet to attend major sporting events, including the Melbourne Cup, Australian Open, and AFL matches. These disclosures were made in the federal register of interests and cover events ranging from horse racing to rugby.

Delicate balance, parliamentarians’ defence

The politicians involved, including Communications Minister Michelle Rowland and Nationals Leader David Littleproud, (pictured above) have defended their actions, maintaining that their hospitality acceptance was fully compliant with parliamentary rules. Rowland disclosed that she received five tickets from Tabcorp to a rugby match and a Melbourne Cup event, while Littleproud accepted two Melbourne Cup tickets in 2022. Both politicians, along with others like Bill Shorten and Bridget McKenzie, emphasised that their decisions remain uninfluenced by the hospitality. However, the AGR, led by advocate Tim Costello, argues that such access provides gambling companies with a direct line to lobby against crucial reforms. Costello claims that the hospitality and gifts offered by these companies create a potentially skewed platform for lobbying that undermines public interest, especially as the government contemplates a ban on gambling ads. “This level of access to politicians through gifts of tickets and hospitality allows gambling companies to quietly lobby against the proposed gambling ad ban, which is widely supported by the Australian public,” Costello stated.

The AGR’s claims are bolstered by the launch of its new online tool, the Influence Engine. The tool allows the public to track gifts and hospitality received by politicians, making the lobbying efforts of large corporations, particularly those in the gambling industry, more transparent. By searching the federal register of interests, AGR identified the scope of wagering company influence, with Tabcorp emerging as the most frequent contributor to political hospitality, followed by Sportsbet.

The 2022-23 period saw the majority of these hospitality declarations, with little activity recorded in 2024 as the issue of gambling ads became a political hot topic. About two-thirds of the disclosures were made by Coalition MPs, with the remainder from Labor. Notably, no independent or minor party politicians were found to have accepted such hospitality. Michelle Rowland’s spokesperson was quick to point out that while she accepted hospitality in 2022, she announced in 2023 that she would no longer accept donations or gifts from gambling companies—a move likely prompted by growing scrutiny over the influence of the gambling lobby.

Reform or Status Quo?

While politicians assert their impartiality, Costello remains unconvinced. He argues that politicians may find themselves more inclined to support industry-friendly legislation after receiving perks like free event tickets. “Politicians who receive hospitality from gambling companies may feel obligated, whether consciously or subconsciously, to prioritise the interests of these companies when drafting or supporting legislation,” he said. This concern comes amid a broader national conversation about the role of gambling in Australian society. Gambling ads are widely viewed as problematic, particularly in their saturation during sporting events, which critics argue normalises gambling for younger audiences. The federal government’s ongoing review of gambling advertising practices, based on recommendations from a parliamentary inquiry, has been slow to materialise, with reforms still pending. Nationals Leader David Littleproud responded to the accusations with a defence of his stance on gambling. “I am not against gambling, and I recognise the role it plays in supporting sport. However, the sheer quantity of gambling ads has become overwhelming, particularly for families. That’s why we introduced legislation to reduce the amount of gambling advertising,” Littleproud remarked.

Politicians caught in the crossfire

Gambling companies, for their part, have defended their actions, asserting that their hospitality and donations adhere to legal and regulatory frameworks. Responsible Wagering Australia’s CEO, Kai Cantwell, noted that all donations and gifts from gambling companies are disclosed as required by law. Cantwell pushed back against the notion that such hospitality would unduly influence political decisions, stating, “It’s wrong to assume that engaging with politicians through hospitality will determine policy outcomes.” However, Costello remains steadfast in his criticism. He fears that the increasing presence of gambling industry representatives at major sporting events attended by politicians gives these companies too much influence over legislative priorities. “It’s not just the tickets and the chocolates; it’s the increased access that gambling lobbyists gain when politicians attend these events. This access allows them to push back on meaningful reforms that would protect the public from the harms of gambling,” he argued. With the debate surrounding gambling ads reaching a critical juncture, the hospitality enjoyed by federal politicians continues to stoke fears of undue influence in Australia’s political landscape. Whether this leads to substantial gambling ad reform—or simply more scrutiny of political gifts—remains to be seen.