Sportsbet attendance at fundraiser raises concerns over gambling industry influence in Australia
Sportsbet attended a Labour Party fundraising dinner with Kristy McBain
Australia.- Sportsbet has sparked controversy by attending a Labour Party fundraising dinner with regional development minister Kristy McBain as MPs call for tougher rules on gambling ads. The operator’s attendance has led to questions about the industry’s influence over politicians, coming after a recent ABC report on the matter.
“It’s pay-to-play,” said Clancy Moore of Transparency International Australia. Anthony Whealy KC of the Centre for Public Integrity called the dinner “completely wrong.”
Sportsbet paid $88,000 (US$57,000) last year for Labour’s business forum and gave $60,000 (US$39,000) to the Liberals and $15,000 (US$9,800) to the Nationals. It insists it’s just one of many businesses talking to the government.
