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AFL’s gambling problem claim another scalp, amid conflict of interest quagmire
13 May 2026
The AFL’s chronic gambling problem continues to create serious conflicts of interests, undermines the integrity of the sport and exposes our kids to a tsunami of gambling ads, the Alliance’s Chief Advocate, Tim Costello, says.
This warning from the Alliance for Gambling Reform follows the news four-time premiership player, Luke Hodge, has stepped down from the All-Australian selection panel due to his relationship with a major betting agency.
"This is just another chapter in a litany of the code’s conflict of interests with gambling companies. It is extremely disappointing but not surprising,” Rev. Costello said.
“The AFL and the gambling industry has become intrinsically linked to the point where the game has become beholden to the money it makes from gambling.
“It is making these profits by selling out to gambling companies and in doing so is exposing our kids to gambling ads at an unprecedented level.”
Alliance for Gambling Reform advocate and lived experience speaker, Mark Kempster, said as a football lover it was tragic to see the game was so awash with gambling advertising and that he can no longer watch live games because the ads are to triggering.
He is deeply concerned about the conflicts that continue to arise for the AFL.
“In the last two months we have been made aware by different media reports of AFL Umpires working for the gambling industry, and AFL media identities who have voted on the Norm Smith medal also being employed by the gambling industry,” Mr Kempster said.
“Even more concerning, the Gold Coast Suns currently employs a licensed bookmaker as their Team Manager, who would have access to extremely sensitive information about the internal workings of the football club. He has the ability to travel with the team, create connection with players and work on the ground during AFL games.”
“Unfortunately, the AFL have not acted on any of the above cases. In the cases of the umpire and media identities working for the gambling industry, the actual gambling companies have seen the integrity issues and made calls to end these relationships.”
Mr Kempster said the Gold Coast Suns are still currently employing the Team Manager in question who was still working on the ground in their most recent game in Darwin.
“They don’t see these as a conflict of interest or an issue of integrity,” Mr Kempster said.
AFL Fans are fed up with how beholden the league is to the gambling industry.
In the most recent AFL Fans survey, the second biggest issue that all AFL fans had with the league was gambling advertising - with more than 75% of fans surveyed wanting gambling ads removed from the game.
Rev. Costello said the AFL has to take action. “It is time for the league to draw a line in the sand with its relationship with the gambling industry. Is the $50 million they make from the gambling harm their fans are suffering from worth it?”
“They have a social license and need to use it to break the links between gambling and football before it is too late."
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