Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and other top politicians received free sports tickets worth around A$245,000 (US$147,000) from major leagues over the past 21 months while weighing a proposed nationwide ban on online gambling ads.
According to public records reviewed by Reuters and verified by experts, these tickets were gifted by top sports organizations, including the AFL and NRL, during a time when the federal government was reviewing strict gambling advertising laws.
Politicians Accepted Hundreds of Free Tickets
Between June 28, 2023, and March 28, 2025, lawmakers accepted at least 312 sports event tickets, according to Australia’s parliamentary gift register. Many of the tickets were to premium matches, such as NRL and AFL finals.
The gift register, a public database managed by the Prime Minister’s Office, requires members of parliament to disclose gifts worth over A$300.
Experts from Deakin University and the University of Technology Sydney helped calculate the total ticket value, using the lowest corporate box seat prices as a base.
“It’s a reasonable estimate, probably on the conservative side,” said Tim Harcourt, chief economist at the University of Technology Sydney.
PM and Opposition Leader Among the Beneficiaries
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese accepted an estimated A$29,000 worth of tickets, mostly for matches involving his home team, the South Sydney Rabbitohs.
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton also received A$21,350 in ticket value during the same period.
The total value of tickets given to politicians nearly matched the estimated A$234,000 in gifts during the 2019–2022 term, although sports events during that time were limited due to COVID-19 restrictions.
Public Support for Ad Ban Remains Strong
Despite public outcry and a 2023 parliamentary report recommending a comprehensive ban on online gambling ads, the legislation was shelved in late 2024. Albanese deferred the issue to the next parliament, set to form after the upcoming May 3 general election.
Surveys show that three out of four Australians support a complete ban on gambling ads.
“We know vested interests have been lobbying hard to prevent a ban,” said David Pocock, an independent senator. “It’s appalling that 18 months after the landmark report, the government has failed to act.”
Sports Leagues Lobby Against the Ban
Australia’s major sports leagues — the AFL, NRL, and others — have publicly and privately opposed the gambling ad ban. They argue that the ban would drastically reduce their revenue.
The NRL alone receives about A$70 million annually from a share of bets placed on its matches. That figure has grown fifteen-fold in the last decade and is now one of its fastest-growing income sources.
In confidential communications, the NRL warned the government that a ban could cut its gambling income by more than half. The AFL also sent proposals for “alternative regulations” shortly after grand final events attended by senior politicians, including Albanese.
“They’re making decisions based on what’s good for their financial viability, not what’s good for sport in Australia,” said Kate Chaney, an MP who contributed to the 2023 reform report.
Behind-the-Scenes Influence
Sources told Reuters that the Coalition of Major Professional and Participation Sports (COMPPS) led a coordinated lobbying campaign after the report was released. COMPPS represents several sports bodies and organized efforts to sway influential politicians.
The group invited lawmakers to matches, placed them near league officials, and shared strategic messaging about the “negative impact” of a gambling ad ban.
“You’re not just giving them a ticket,” said Charles Livingstone, a gambling policy expert. “You’ve got their ear for the length of the game.”
Industry Connections Stall Reform
Despite public support and parliamentary recommendations, no gambling ad reform laws have been passed. Critics blame the strong influence of the sports industry.
“Free tickets are a small price to pay for access to decision-makers,” said Louis Francis, a public health expert at Curtin University. “And the return is great.”
Australian sports leagues receive millions in sponsorships and broadcast rights linked to gambling. The NRL, for instance, earns an estimated A$400 million annually from broadcast deals, with around one-third tied to betting ads.
Gambling Losses Continue to Climb
Australia has the highest per capita gambling losses in the world. Analysts at H2 Gambling Capital estimate that Australians will lose A$34 billion to gambling in 2025 alone.
The lack of reform, despite growing concern over gambling harm, has raised serious questions about transparency and influence in politics.
