Australia’ biggest gambling companies are famous for offering a bet on almost anything but have now found something they are unwilling to touch: the voice referendum.
Some gamblers were surprised markets did not open once the 14 October date was set and the official campaigning began. Gambling companies have previously offered odds on state and federal elections, and some briefly opened books on the same-sex marriage plebiscite.
No major company has so far opened bets on the referendum. Sportsbet, Betfair, Neds, Ladbrokes and Betr have confirmed they will not, but declined to comment when asked why. Some have suggested the referendum is too divisive and not something they want to be associated with.
The companies and the peak body lobbying on their behalf, Responsible Wagering Australia, did not mention the industry was simultaneously lobbying the federal government ministers not to ban gambling ads and trailing commissions, as recommended by a parliamentary committee.
The Alliance for Gambling Reform, which has personally lobbied the prime minister in recent weeks, believes the two issues are linked, arguing the industry does not want to provoke criticism as ministers review calls for tougher regulation.
The alliance’s chief executive, Carol Bennett, said the gambling industry had proven it puts “profits from losers ahead of any moral considerations”.
“What this really tells us is that they are worried about the Albanese government’s response to the online gambling report recommendations to ban gambling advertising and inducements,” Bennet said.
“They want to keep government on side. They feel under pressure and are aware the public has had enough of their endless promotions – so no gambling on the voice.”
Independent MP Andrew Wilkie, who co-chairs the parliamentary friends of gambling reform group, welcomed the fact most gambling companies were not accepting bets but said he had no doubt their motivations were “entirely self-serving”.
“Such events are much too important to be treated like a footy game,” Wilkie said. “The privileged access enjoyed by political insiders to polling and other research gives them an unfair advantage at the expense of other punters.”
At least one smaller gambling company, BlueBet, is offering odds and opened its books in June when the yes campaign was the $1.70 favourite. Within a month of opening, 95% of all bets were placed on the no vote winning.
BlueBet’s head of partnerships and content, Richard Hummerston, said accepting bets was consistent with the industry’s record.
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“There’s a long history of Australian bookies opening markets on matters of national interest like elections, referendums and plebiscites and we’ve bet on just about all of them,” Hummerston said.
“We’re not advocating for either side, just giving Aussie punters an opportunity to have a bet on the outcome.”
The Alliance for Gambling Reform has already called for the federal government to delay any response to the committee’s recommendations until after the referendum.
“It is clear there is enormous pressure being put on our political leaders from the gambling industry and free to air television networks to stop this ban. Our leaders must not collapse under this pressure,” Tim Costello, an alliance campaigner, said in late August.
During the same-sex marriage plebiscite, SportsBet was accused of being insensitive by offering odds on the outcome.
“To vote on the validity of some Australians’ relationships is bad enough, but to bet on them is a whole new low,” said the lead of Australian Marriage Equality, Alex Greenwich, at the time.
Sportsbet subsequently withdrew its market and said it respected same-sex marriage was an important social issue.