Australian Politicians Received $147,000 in Sports Tickets Amid Gambling Ad Ban Debate
A recent report has revealed that Australian politicians accepted an estimated A$245,000 (US$147,000) worth of complimentary sports tickets between June 2023 and March 2025—an eye-raising figure that has drawn public scrutiny, especially as it coincided with parliamentary debates surrounding a proposed ban on online gambling advertising. The free tickets came primarily from prominent sporting organizations such as the National Rugby League (NRL) and the Australian Football League (AFL). These organizations are among the biggest beneficiaries of gambling sponsorships and advertising deals, making the timing and nature of the gifts particularly controversial.
The Australian government had been considering legislation to curb or even completely ban online gambling advertising—a move that has received widespread support from health experts, advocacy groups, and the general public. Many argue that the growing visibility of gambling ads, especially during sports broadcasts, has normalized betting for younger audiences and contributed to rising rates of gambling addiction.
Despite the strong momentum behind the reform, the legislation has now been pushed back to the next parliamentary session, prompting concerns about undue influence and conflicts of interest. “At a time when Australians are crying out for stricter regulations on gambling ads, it’s troubling to see our elected officials accepting perks from the very organizations that would be most affected by such a ban,” said Dr. Jane Rowley, Director of the Responsible Gambling Foundation. “It raises serious questions about whether policy decisions are being made in the public interest or in the interest of those with commercial ties.”
The report did not indicate any direct quid pro quo, but the optics are poor. Under Australia’s political code of conduct, gifts such as tickets are allowed if declared appropriately. However, critics argue that this legal permissibility does not erase the ethical concerns, especially when the timing appears so closely aligned with legislative discussions. Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young, a vocal advocate for tighter gambling regulations, was quick to condemn the findings.
“This is yet another example of corporate influence seeping into our democratic institutions,” she said. “We need to take a hard look at how political donations and gifts—from sports tickets to campaign contributions—are shaping public policy.”
In contrast, representatives from both the NRL and AFL defended their actions, stating that offering tickets to politicians is standard practice designed to foster engagement and promote the national sports industry. A spokesperson for the AFL insisted that “there was no intent to influence legislative outcomes.”
Nonetheless, the public reaction has been swift and critical, with social media flooded by calls for greater transparency and reform. A recent poll conducted by NewsCorp found that 72% of Australians support a full ban on gambling ads during live sports broadcasts, and65% believe that politicians should be prohibited from accepting gifts from organizations with vested interests in pending legislation.
As Australia prepares for the next parliamentary session, all eyes will be on lawmakers to see whether the public’s demand for action on gambling reform will be met—or whether corporate influence will continue to tip the scales behind closed doors.