Greens draw betting perk line ahead of gambling showdown

The Australian Greens have drawn a firm line on betting perks, declaring they will not support the government's gambling legislation in its current form. This stance sets the stage for a political showdown as parliament reconvenes, with the Greens demanding significant amendments to safeguard children and vulnerable individuals from gambling harm.

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Give me a freaking break.

The draft legislation faces broad opposition, with the Coalition, Greens, and crossbenchers all calling for substantial changes. A key point of contention is the issue of inducements, particularly after a two-day Senate inquiry revealed allegations of gambling company employees offering illegal drugs and escorts to VIP punters to encourage further gambling. While betting giants denied these claims, the testimonies intensified calls for stricter reforms and bans on such practices, even gaining support from some Labor backbenchers.

Greens communications spokesperson Sarah Hanson-Young emphasized the need to eliminate promotions like offering refunds if a horse comes second. "Give me a freaking break," she stated on ABC's Insiders. "I think they use every trick in the book to promote and it's a real predatory nature, whether it's special deals, whether it's extra credits, whether it's favors to events. Inducements need to be off the table."

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I think they use every trick in the book to promote and it's a real predatory nature, whether it's special deals, whether it's extra credits, whether it's favors to events. Inducements need to be off the table.

Hanson-Young accused the government of "playing games" and urged them to prioritize vulnerable Australians. "I'm not prepared to vote for what's on the table at the moment," she said, indicating the Greens' support is contingent on meaningful amendments. This position aligns with the late Peta Murphy's 2023 parliamentary report, which recommended the abolition of inducements, defining them broadly to include offers like deposit matches, multi-bets, bonus bets, rewards programs, and early cash-outs.

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I'm not prepared to vote for what's on the table at the moment.

NDIS Minister Jenny McAllister defended the government's reforms, stating they are seeking a "good balance" and are "open to sensible amendments" as negotiations continue. However, the government's plan includes only a partial ban on gambling advertisements, restricting them on TV and radio during specific hours and banning logos on sports players' jerseys or in stadiums. This partial approach has drawn criticism, with Senator Hanson-Young asserting, "It's really clear, partial bans do not work."

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we're trying to get a good balance