Australian Senator Calls for Inquiry into Gambling Industry

Australian Senator David Pocock is demanding an investigation into the gambling industry‘s influence on political decision-making.

He wants a Senate inquiry into government ties with betting companies, particularly regarding gambling advertising and online betting reforms.

With millions in political donations and undisclosed meetings with top sports executives, transparency concerns are at an all-time high.

The inquiry could shape the future of gambling regulations in Australia, impacting sports leagues, advertising policies, and political funding.

Australian Senator Calls for Inquiry into Gambling Industry’s Political Influence

3 Key Points:

1. Senator Pocock Calls for a Political Inquiry: The Senate will examine gambling industry influence on policy decisions and government reluctance to implement advertising bans.
2. Millions in Political Donations Raise Transparency Issues: Gambling and alcohol companies contributed A$2.4M to major political parties in 2023–24, fueling concerns over industry sway.
3. Push for Stricter Gambling Ad Regulations Continues: The Greens propose a bill to limit gambling ads, while advocacy groups call for a full ban on political donations from the sector.

Australian Senator David Pocock has called for a formal Senate inquiry into the gambling industry’s influence on political decision-making, amid mounting pressure for tighter advertising regulations and transparency reforms.

According to The Queenslander, Pocock intends to refer the matter to a Senate committee, focusing on:

• Government inaction on gambling reform, despite cross-party support for stricter regulations.
• Unreported meetings between Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and NRL/AFL executives regarding online gambling policies.
• Significant political donations from gambling companies, potentially impacting legislative decisions.

The inquiry will also assess the government’s response to a major gambling harm report, led by the late Labor MP Peta Murphy, which recommended a phased ban on gambling advertisements. Despite unanimous parliamentary support, the government has yet to act on the recommendations.

Millions in Political Donations Fuel Transparency Concerns

The Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) Transparency Register reveals that alcohol and gambling-related companies donated A$2.4 million to political parties in 2023–24.

Breakdown of Donations:

• 61% went to the Australian Labor Party (ALP).
• 38% was received by the Liberal National Party (LNP).
• Key contributors included:
  • Australian Hotels Association
  • Queensland Hotels Association
  • Endeavour Group
  • Tabcorp Holdings
  • Clubs NSW/Australia
  • Sportsbet

This funding pattern has raised concerns over potential policy influence, particularly regarding gambling advertising laws and regulatory delays.

Advocacy groups, including the Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education (FARE) and the Alliance for Gambling Reform (AGR), are now demanding a ban on political donations from gambling companies.

Push for Gambling Advertising Reform Intensifies

Pocock’s proposed inquiry coincides with a separate push by the Greens to introduce a bill restricting gambling advertisements.

Key Proposals in the Greens’ Bill:

✅ Ban gambling ads on digital platforms.
✅ Prohibit betting ads before/after sports broadcasts and during children’s programming.
✅ Limit TV gambling ads to two per program.

Although not a full ban, this proposal aligns with Labor’s previous stance on gambling reform. However, despite government discussions in 2024, these proposed restrictions were quietly shelved without formal implementation.

Friday marked 19 months since the gambling harm report was tabled in parliament, yet the government insists it is still consulting with industry stakeholders before moving forward.

Industry Pushback Against Ad Ban

The gambling industry trade body, Responsible Wagering Australia (RWA), opposes a complete ban on online gambling ads.

They argue that such restrictions could:
❌ Push consumers toward unregulated offshore betting platforms.
❌ Reduce financial support for sports leagues and broadcasters reliant on gambling revenue.
❌ Limit responsible gambling messaging, which helps educate consumers.

Instead, the RWA supports targeted reforms to reduce children’s exposure to gambling ads while maintaining a sustainable advertising framework.

Will Australia Crack Down on Gambling Industry Influence?

With a Senate inquiry now on the horizon, the gambling industry’s political influence, advertising practices, and lobbying power are under intense scrutiny.

Senator David Pocock’s push for greater transparency, coupled with growing public pressure for reform, could force the government to take decisive action on gambling regulations.

However, with millions in political donations at stake and industry-backed opposition, the fight for meaningful change in Australia’s gambling laws is far from over.