Australian politicians gifted AU$245,000 worth of sports tickets while mulling ban on online sports betting ads
Australian politicians, including Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, received tickets to sports matches worth around AU$245,000 (US$156,000)1 AUD = 0.6371 USD
2025-04-16Powered by CMG CurrenShift between June 2023 and March 2025, while considering a ban on online sports betting advertising.
According to Reuters, the figure represents the combined value of 312 free tickets given to politicians during the period, including AU$29,000 (US$18,500)1 AUD = 0.6371 USD
2025-04-16Powered by CMG CurrenShift worth of tickets gifted to the Prime Minister.
Albanese intended to introduce a crackdown on online gambling advertisements following a 2023 parliamentary inquiry that recommended a complete ban. However, he removed the issue from the legislative agenda in 2024, and it won’t be considered until the general election in May.
Independent senator David Pocock told Reuters, “We know vested interests have been lobbying hard to prevent a ban and the level of soft diplomacy revealed by this analysis of declared gifts to politicians is deeply concerning.”
The total value of gifted tickets was calculated using information from the parliamentary gift register, which records all gifts over AU$300 (US$191)1 AUD = 0.6371 USD
2025-04-16Powered by CMG CurrenShift and is open to the public.
This isn’t the first time details of gambling lobbyists reaching out to Albanese have come to light. In October 2024, Responsible Wagering Australia sent a letter to the prime minister claiming legal gambling products needed to stay “visible” to ensure players used legal options. Members of Albanese’s staff also met with gambling lobbyists.
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