Australian Politicians Accepted $147,000 in Match Tickets While Debating Gambling Ad Ban

Sporting Leagues Gifted Lawmakers Tickets Amid Lobbying Push

Australian politicians accepted match tickets worth nearly A$245,000 (US$147,000) over 21 months while considering a national ban on online gambling advertising. Sporting leagues like the NRL and AFL provided the tickets as part of a coordinated lobbying effort against the proposed ban, according to Reuters’ analysis of parliamentary records.

Ban Proposal Stalls Despite Public Support

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese had promised to act on recommendations from a 2023 parliamentary report that called for a complete ban on gambling ads. However, he removed the issue from the legislative agenda last year. It will now be left to the next parliament following the May 3 general election, where polls show his Labor Party may win by a slim margin.

Despite strong public support—three in four Australians back the ban—no law has been passed. Independent senator David Pocock criticized the delay, calling it “appalling” and saying the lobbying showed “deeply concerning” soft diplomacy.

Ticket Gifts Revealed in Public Register

The parliamentary gift register, which lists items valued over A$300, shows lawmakers from both major parties received 312 free tickets between June 2023 and March 2025. Reuters calculated the value using corporate box seat prices, verified by experts in sports management and economics.

Prime Minister Albanese received tickets worth A$29,000, mostly for NRL grand finals and matches involving his favorite team, the South Sydney Rabbitohs. Opposition leader Peter Dutton accepted A$21,350 in tickets during the same period.

Gambling Profits Tied to Sports Revenue

Australia has the highest per capita gambling losses globally. Gamblers are expected to lose A$34 billion in 2025, according to consultancy H2 Gambling Capital. Local sporting bodies benefit financially, taking a share of gambling revenues tied to their games. The NRL, for example, earns around A$70 million annually from betting and a large share of its A$400 million broadcast income from gambling ads.

A confidential NRL submission warned the ban could cut gambling revenues in half. The AFL also proposed alternative regulations after a grand final event attended by top politicians. Both leagues directly contacted Albanese’s office to express their concerns.

Influence Through Hospitality

The Coalition of Major Professional and Participation Sports (COMPPS), representing top sporting bodies, led the lobbying campaign. The group invited politicians to matches and seated them next to league officials trained to discuss the ad ban’s potential impact. Sources involved in the planning said COMPPS targeted politicians based on their influence and interest in specific sports.

“This kind of hospitality gives lobbyists uninterrupted access to lawmakers,” said Charles Livingstone, a public health expert and WHO advisor. “It’s more than a free seat—it’s a lobbying opportunity.”

Experts Warn of Stalled Reform

Health experts argue that the hospitality industry influenced policy. Louis Francis of Curtin University said stalled gambling reforms, despite overwhelming public support, show how easily sporting groups gain access to politicians. “Free tickets are a small price for political access,” she said. “And the return is great.”