Labor faces fierce backlash from gambling giants as Coalition and Greens push for new controls on inducements
Summary
The Australian Labor Party is facing strong opposition from major gambling companies over proposed laws to ban financial incentives that encourage betting. The bill aims to reduce aggressive advertising and inducements for online sports betting, amid serious allegations about some companies' unethical practices targeting problem gamblers. Discussions and negotiations between Labor, the Coalition, and the Greens are ongoing as they try to reach an agreement.Key Facts
- Labor wants to ban financial inducements, which are rewards or offers to encourage people to bet online.
- Gambling companies strongly oppose this ban, saying inducements and promotions are different and necessary for their business.
- Evidence was presented during a Senate inquiry that some gambling companies allegedly provided cocaine, alcohol, and sex workers to keep problem gamblers betting.
- Gambling companies denied the allegations during the inquiry.
- A July 2023 report recommended stopping all online gambling inducements without any delay.
- Labor’s national conference is also looking at ways to stop gambling offers in video games and on social media that could affect children and young people.
- Labor and rival parties are negotiating possible amendments to the bill to try to pass it in Parliament.
- Labor MP Jerome Laxale encourages stronger laws to ban financial incentives for gamblers.
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