A ‘shiny, dangling carrot’ lured Jesse into gambling. He says Labor’s reform won’t stop others being sucked in
Summary
Jesse Murphy, a frequent gambler, received many free bets, tickets, food, and drinks from VIP managers at gambling companies between 2019 and 2024. The Australian government has passed a bill to limit some gambling inducements but stopped short of banning the rewards that encouraged Murphy and others to keep betting.Key Facts
- Jesse Murphy was regularly given free bets, tickets, food, and alcohol by gambling VIP managers from 2019 to 2024.
- Murphy’s account received $43,700 in bonus bets from one company over two years.
- VIP managers sent bonus bets even when Murphy said he might quit gambling.
- Murphy stopped gambling almost two years ago, after which the free rewards stopped.
- A parliamentary inquiry recommended a total ban on gambling inducements in June 2023.
- The Albanese government passed a law limiting some inducements but did not ban VIP rewards.
- The new law requires companies to identify “high risk” gamblers and restrict inducements to them, with the industry deciding how to define “high risk.”
- Critics say the law makes only small changes and may not stop harmful gambling practices.
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