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NEWSLETTERS
2026
Welcome to August
Newsletter
Martin Thomas
CEO
If you have been watching the media you would have seen the explosive evidence to a Senate Inquiry that detailed how gambling companies offered drugs, escorts, luxury accommodation and VIP invites to sporting events to keep their clients betting.
Former NRL player and influencer, Luke Bateman, told how he was flown to sporting events and given VIP access to marquee events and his client manager even offered to source drugs for him.
Our Lived Experience Advocate, Mark Kempster also gave evidence at the Senate Inquiry yesterday and supported Luke’s evidence about the immoral inducements that the gambling industry uses.
Our Chief Advocate, Tim Costello, told a similar story of a man who had stolen $12m to support his gambling and who is in jail facing trail.
He detailed how gambling companies put him up at 5-star hotels, offered him drugs, escorts and anything he wanted.
These examples underscore how gambling companies are out of control and our politicians, our regulators and our laws are proving grossly inadequate to stop them.
The Senate Inquiry is reviewing the Federal Governments response to the Murphy Report which was a parliamentary committee that delivered 31 recommendations that would dramatically limit gambling harm in Australia.
The government's response is grossly inadequate, it does not stop inducements, it does not ban gambling advertising, it does not seek to introduce a national gambling regulator, nor will it treat gambling as a public health issue.
The Senate Inquiry will - we hope - recommend that the government's proposals are significantly strengthened. But even then, it will come down to the horse-trading that the parties will do to try to get the numbers to pass the laws in the Senate.
The Alliance shared the opportunity with our supporters to, as individuals, provide a submission to this inquiry - almost 300 of you did.
Now the Alliance wants to hear from you directly. We especially want to hear from parents who are concerned about the impact of gambling ads on their kids.
If your young child has ever asked you what a multi is? Or if your child can quote the odds on their favourite footy match or even identify the colours and jingles from bookmakers ... we want to hear from you.
Please let us know your thoughts and concerns about the impact gambling is having on your children here.
And finally let me thank you again for all the support you have provided to the Alliance.
Without your support, we would never be able to keep up the fight for reform. We are truly thankful.
Let’s keep the pressure up so that our kids don't have to grow up in a society where they are bombarded with gambling ads.
You can catch up on all the latest news stories here, and our recent media releases are listed below.
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Media Releases:
Our biggest super funds hold $14.8b in gambling stocks, 23 July 2026
Welcome to our JULY Newsletter
JULY 2026
It has been a big few weeks but there have been some very significant wins in our efforts to reduce gambling harm in Australia.
I am thrilled to have it affirmed that we have so much support from Australians for the work we do in trying to stop gambling ads and to protect our children and our communities from a predatory gambling industry.
Welcome to our AUGUST NEWSLETTER
AUGUST 2025
As we approach footy finals, Australia is now experiencing peak gambling advertising exposure.
It’s so bad that a recent survey of AFL players managers reported that even the players were being negatively impacted. It found more than 76% of player managers cited gambling among footballers as a grave concern.
Welcome to our JULY 2025 NEWSLETTER
JULY 2025
Our governments’ shortsighted addiction to gambling revenue
State and territory governments across our nation are addicted to the revenue they get from electronic poker machines.
But now there is new evidence that shows just how we are all being shortchanged by such a reliance on this revenue – which we know comes from the losses that people simply cannot afford.
Welcome to our OCTOBER NEWSLETTER
OCTOBER 2025
If you are a sports fan this time of year is amazing.
We have just had the AFL Grand Final, now we await the NRL Grand Final and then Bathurst, and before too long the Ashes cricket.
Unfortunately, this time of the year is also ‘peak gambling’ season’. It is almost impossible to watch sport in Australia today without being bombarded by gambling ads.