February
Chalmers, Labor leave bookmaking giant in the cold
The lobbyists for Sportsbet keep getting blackballed from Labor minister cash-for-access events.
January
$40m not enough: The AFL’s plan to grab more gambling money
The sport’s administrators make up to $40 million from wagering deals every year. It is hoping to significantly increase that by negotiating a new agreement.
PM speed-dated TV, sports bosses before U-turn on gambling ad ban
In a 95-minute period on August 30, Anthony Albanese spoke with the country’s major sporting and TV bosses about his draft gambling ad policy.
Sportsbet hit with multimillion-dollar class action
Gamblers who lost money betting on “live” sporting contests are suing the betting giant Sportsbet to recoup millions in losses.
October 2024
Betting firms pull $150m in advertising as crackdown looms
The Albanese government says it will unveil new restrictions on wagering advertising before the end of the year. Gambling firms are already pulling back.
NRL, AFL personally lobbied Anthony Albanese against gambling ad ban
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and NRL chairman Peter V’landys have been singing from the same songbook when it comes to gambling advertising. New details suggest why.
August 2024
Sportsbet’s shrunken quarter overshadowed by Flutter upgrade
Shares of the Irish group rallied after it upgraded earnings guidance, including for its Australian business, where revenue fell 10 per cent last quarter.
Sportsbet CEO’s sherpa walks out during the storm
The country’s largest online bookmaker has lost its adult in the room at the worst possible moment.
Labor facing internal backlash on gambling ads
Communications Minister Michelle Rowland is facing growing backbench pressure to introduce a total ban on gambling advertising.
Sportsbet accuses Deloitte of negligence, misleading audit work
The bookmaker claims the firm signed off on “materially understated” gambling fees and other underpayments at a company it acquired for $313 million in 2018.
New punters to halve under Labor’s gambling crackdown, brokers warn
One of the sector’s most respected analysts has told clients that the racing industry will be some $6.4 billion worse off over time from the proposed changes.
July 2024
Meet the lobbyists aiming to keep the gambling dollars rolling in
With the Albanese government’s gambling ad policy still up in the air, the Financial Review looked at who’s been hitting the corridors of power for sports betting firms.
June 2024
Bet365 probed over credit card ban loophole
The gambling regulator began making inquiries after The Australian Financial Review was able to deposit credit cards funds into Bet365 via third parties.
May 2024
Labor slams the NRL’s ‘deeply concerning’ Sportsbet tie-up
Communications Minister Michelle Rowland is deciding what to do with recommendations from an online gambling inquiry, including a blanket advertising ban.
April 2024
Flutter warns of Sportsbet headwinds as annual profits slide
Sportsbet boss Barni Evans would not rule out job losses after parent company Flutter revealed the local offshoot’s financial results.
March 2024
Tabcorp chief executive resigns amid probe into offensive language
Adam Rytenskild had run the wagering group since 2022. He said he did not recall making the comments but had “regrettably agreed to resign”.
February 2024
Tabcorp blames states for $732m write-down as shares crash
Shares fell more than 14 per cent on Thursday following the release of Tabcorp’s half-year results.
Labor rakes in $5m of ‘hidden money’ from big companies
Payments from gambling giants like Sportsbet, Tabcorp and pokies outfit Endeavour accounted for a chunk of Labor’s pay-for-access packages sold to companies.