Tabcorp’s plan to attract more gamblers to pubs and hotels through promotions has raised concerns among crossbench senators, public health experts, and campaigners. They believe that the wagering industry has been emboldened by the government’s inaction on regulating gambling advertisements.
Tabcorp’s approach includes increased promotions and special offers in pubs and hotels, as well as renovations to gaming rooms. The company plans to stop offering commissions to venues that generate less than $10,000 in bets per week. The proposal has sparked conflict with the Australian Hotels Association, which argues that it would unfairly punish smaller venues struggling to stay afloat.
Long-term critics of the gambling industry express concerns about the potential harm caused by promotions and special offers in pubs and clubs. Regulators in New South Wales and Victoria are closely monitoring the situation. A federal parliamentary inquiry led by the late Labor MP Peta Murphy called for the banning of inducements, warning that they encourage riskier bets and undermine harm minimization efforts.
Tabcorp argues that the promotions will help venues reach the $10,000 threshold. Senator David Pocock believes that the government’s lack of urgency in implementing the recommendations of the Murphy Review has emboldened the sector. Martin Thomas, the CEO of the Alliance for Gambling Reform, also believes that the federal government’s hesitancy to restrict gambling ads and inducements has had a negative impact.
The issue of inducements has sparked a debate about the need for stronger regulation of the gambling industry to protect the community. While Tabcorp and government officials have defended their actions, many experts and advocates argue that more needs to be done to address the potential harm caused by gambling.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/jun/15/tabcorp-clearly-emboldened-by-government-inaction-on-gambling-ads-david-pocock-says
