Parliamentary Inquiry Hears Allegations Against Gambling Industry as Sportsbet and Tabcorp Deny Claims
Tim Costello and Luke Bateman allege problem gamblers were supplied with cocaine, alcohol and sex workers, while betting giants deny claims.
En resumen
A parliamentary inquiry into Labor's gambling legislation heard allegations that problem gamblers received cocaine and sex workers, which Sportsbet and Tabcorp denied.
Resumen generado por IA
Por qué importa
A parliamentary inquiry is examining Labor's gambling legislation amid intense scrutiny of industry practices and advertising.
Good afternoon. The parliamentary inquiry into Labor’s gambling legislation heard extraordinary testimony yesterday from anti-gambling campaigners Tim Costello and Luke Bateman, who alleged that problem gamblers had been supplied with cocaine, alcohol and sex workers. Giving evidence today, betting giants Sportsbet and Tabcorp said there is no evidence to substantiate the allegations.
Later in the hearing, the independent senator David Pocock asked the industry’s lobby group, Responsible Wagering Australia, about one betting platform’s promotion which featured children. Pocock claimed the gambling industry always blamed others for children’s exposure to gambling ads, and said: “This is exactly why Australians are sick and tired of the BS you try and tell us.”
The acting prime minister, Richard Marles, said evidence from the inquiry so far had been “quite shocking”.
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Preguntas abiertas
- Will the inquiry lead to stricter gambling regulations?
- Can the allegations against betting platforms be proven?
