Australian politicians received $147,000 worth of match tickets amid gambling ad ban debate
Imagine getting prime seats to major sports finals worth thousands of dollars just for doing your job. That’s precisely what happened to some of Australia’s most prominent politicians. Major sporting leagues showered these politicians with sports tickets worth A$245,000 (US$147,000) over 21 months, according to Reuters. The goal was to nudge the government away from a proposed ban on online gambling ads.
Background of the gambling ad ban proposal
It all started in 2023 when the Australian government released a landmark report exposing the harms of online gambling. The recommendation was bold but clear: ban all forms of advertising related to online gambling.
With Australia holding the dubious title of having the highest per capita gambling losses globally, the need for reform was urgent. The public supported it too; three out of four Australians backed a full ban. But somewhere between the report and reality, things got messy.
Political gifts and lobbying tactics
The country’s most powerful sports leagues—especially the AFL and NRL—launched a well-orchestrated charm offensive. Between June 2023 and March 2025, these organisations gifted 312 premium sports tickets to politicians. This wasn’t just a few casual invites; it included corporate box seats, grand finals, and exclusive hospitality—the kind of treatment that builds relationships.
Anthony Albanese (pictured above), the Labor Prime Minister, received A$29,000 (US$18,400) worth of tickets, mostly for his beloved South Sydney Rabbitohs. Peter Dutton, the Opposition Leader, wasn’t far behind with A$21,350 (US$13,451) in freebies.
The overall value dwarfed the previous parliamentary term, which sat at A$234,000 (US$145,220), became more frequent after the report recommending a ban was published.
NRL’s confidential submission
According to sources, the NRL privately warned the government that the proposed ban could cut its gambling income by more than half. While that might seem manageable compared to its A$745 million (US$467.8 million) total revenue, it’s the league’s fastest-growing income source—up fifteen-fold in a decade. Australia regulates lobbying but does not ban it. Politicians must declare gifts valued over A$300 (US$187.44), which is how these tickets were tracked.
However, just because it’s legal doesn’t mean it’s ethical. Critics argue that this kind of “soft diplomacy”—winning them over with sports and smiles—distorts public policy and undermines trust.
Strategic lobbying campaigns
After the report recommending reform was published, the Coalition of Major Professional and Participation Sports (COMPPS), representing the NRL, AFL, and other leagues, spearheaded the lobbying strategy. Their tactics included inviting politicians to high-profile games, seating them with key sports officials, and briefing those officials on anti-ban talking points. They even tracked which politicians were most likely to be swayed based on their sporting loyalties or political influence.
As public health expert Charles Livingstone put it, “You’re not just buying them a seat—you’re buying their time, their ear, and their attention.” Imagine being able to bend the ear of a policymaker for two full hours over drinks and touchdowns. That’s high-value lobbying.
Ethical concerns and public response
Many are furious. David Pocock, an independent senator, called the lack of government action “appalling.” He’s not alone. Experts from Monash University and Curtin University have slammed the entire process as a clear case of public influence being bought on the cheap.
It only cost sports bodies A$245,000 to potentially delay or derail a reform supported by 75 percent of the population. Despite promising reform, Albanese quietly shelved the gambling ad ban at the end of 2024. Instead, he punted the issue to the next Parliament, citing timing and legislative priorities. With elections around the corner, the topic is now in limbo—even as public pressure mounts.
