Overview

• Politicians from both major parties were gifted $245,000 worth of sports tickets over 21 months, coinciding with lobbying against gambling ad regulations.
• Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Opposition Leader Peter Dutton received $29,000 and $21,350 in tickets, respectively, often to high-profile events like grand finals.
• The Coalition of Major Professional and Participation Sports (COMPPS) coordinated efforts to influence lawmakers, including targeted hospitality and messaging strategies.
• Critics argue that the soft lobbying tactics of sports leagues are delaying action on a gambling ad ban, despite strong public support for reform.
• Sports leagues like the NRL and AFL have significant financial stakes in gambling advertising, with confidential submissions warning of major revenue losses if a ban is implemented.