Australia’s PM Lobbied Over Gambling
Gambling companies continue to lobby the Australian government. These actions are because of the current ad rule changes, hoping gambling products become more visible in the country.
Australia PM Lobbied Over Gambling Ad Rule Changes
Gambling companies in Australia have been revealed to have lobbied the office of the country’s prime minister over proposed changes to how the industry is regulated.
Australia is among the countries that are currently grappling with how to manage regulation of the gambling industry. The release of a trove of documents that have been tabled in Australia’s parliament indicates the level of lobbying taking place within the sector.
Independent senator David Pocock has accused the government of “pandering” to the country’s gambling industry in the wake of the new revelations.
Senator Pocock had made an order that resulted in releasing the documents, which also showed that the AFL and NRL had contacted the prime minister’s office.
He said: “More than a year after the Murphy Review recommendations were handed down, Australians deserve answers about why the government still hasn’t acted to curb the serious harm from gambling advertising.”
Government Response
The documents revealed that Responsible Wagering Australia (RWA) – which represents gambling companies in the country – said in a letter to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese that gambling products must remain “visible” to customers.
It claimed this would help to avoid the risks of illegal gambling becoming more popular in Australia. It was even claimed by RWA that a ban on advertising, which is being considered, may lead to cheating in sports.
In response to Pocock’s accusations, the government issued a firm response:
“As is appropriate, the government has engaged with stakeholders regarding the recommendations from the online wagering inquiry as we formulate our response,” said a spokesperson for Albanese’s office. “The government takes seriously our responsibility to protect Australians from the harms of online gambling.”
However, questions may also be raised about why Albanese’s principal private secretary met with the Gambling Harm Lived Experience Experts group. Senator Pocock said the documents released give “a disturbing picture of the level of access gambling companies and their representatives have to the prime minister and his office”.
He added: “This must stop – reducing harm and ensuring the wellbeing of Australian communities must be the prime minister’s priority, not pandering to the gambling lobby.”
Australia’s Gambling Industry
Data shows that Australia spends more money on betting per capita than any other country. With many Australians struggling to stay in control of their gambling spending, more regulation of the industry has been suggested.
A bipartisan parliamentary inquiry has been taking place to investigate the sector’s impact. Gambling ad revenue is a key source of revenue for Australia’s free-to-air broadcasters, which are said to be in financial difficulties.
