SYDNEY — Australian politicians received around A$245,000 (S$204,354) in free match tickets over nearly two years from the country’s top sporting leagues as part of lobbying efforts against a proposed ban on online gambling advertising, according to Reuters, based on government documents. While previous reports have highlighted gambling industry lobbying against the ban, this is the first time the total value of tickets gifted to politicians has been revealed, providing insight into the involvement of sports organizations.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese had initially pledged to address gambling advertising following a 2023 parliamentary inquiry recommending a ban. However, he delayed action on the issue, leaving it to the new parliament formed after the May 3 election, which polls suggest his party will win by a narrow margin. Recent surveys show that 75% of Australians support a ban.

Independent senator David Pocock expressed concern about the lobbying efforts and the role of sporting bodies, stating that it was troubling that, 18 months after the report on online gambling harm, the Prime Minister had failed to take significant action. Albanese and the AFL did not respond to requests for comment, and the NRL declined to comment.

While lobbying is legal, gifts exceeding A$300 must be reported to the Prime Minister’s office, which maintains a public gift register. Between June 28, 2023, and March 28, 2024, Australian politicians received 312 free tickets, with their value calculated by Reuters based on the price of the cheapest corporate box seat. The calculations were verified by sports management experts.

During this period, Albanese received A$29,000 in tickets, mostly for grand finals and games involving his NRL team, the South Sydney Rabbitohs. Opposition leader Peter Dutton received A$21,350 in tickets. In comparison, politicians in the previous parliamentary term (2019-2022) were given an estimated A$234,000 in tickets, although sports attendance was affected by COVID-19 shutdowns during that time. Pre-2019 data was unavailable.

Australia has the highest per capita gambling losses in the world, with an estimated A$34 billion expected to be lost by gamblers in 2025. Australian sports organizations benefit financially from gambling, taking a percentage of the money wagered on their games and earning from sponsorships and broadcast rights.

In a confidential submission, the NRL expressed concern that its gambling revenue, which currently totals A$70 million annually, could be cut in half if the ban is implemented. The NRL also attributed about one-third of its A$400 million annual broadcast rights revenue to sports betting advertising. Kate Chaney, an independent member of the parliamentary committee that recommended the gambling ban, criticized Australian sports bodies for prioritizing financial interests over the well-being of Australian sport.

Following the 2023 report, the Coalition of Major Professional and Participation Sports (COMPPS), which represents the NRL, AFL, and other sports, launched a lobbying campaign to oppose the ban. The group invited politicians to events and arranged seating near sports officials to influence discussions on the potential impact of the ban.

Charles Livingstone, a public health expert, highlighted that these invitations provide an opportunity for sports organizations to subtly influence politicians. Both the NRL and AFL voiced their opposition to the ban in communications with Albanese, particularly after high-profile events attended by the Prime Minister. The AFL proposed an alternative regulatory framework in an email to Albanese, which was later disclosed through a discovery request by Pocock. Louis Francis, a public health academic, pointed out that while free tickets may seem like a minor expense, they provide significant access to key decision-makers, offering a considerable return for the sports organizations.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters.