A probe by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) has uncovered that gaming corporations have contributed over 80 million Australian dollars (roughly 59 million US dollars) to Australian lawmakers in the last two decades. This discovery emerges as Australia confronts its status as the global frontrunner in per capita gambling expenditures, prompting a reevaluation of the influence wielded by prominent gaming entities within society.
Danielle Wood, head of the Grattan Institute, informed the ABC that “the gaming sector punches above its weight in terms of political contributions relative to its economic input. They’re contributing more as a percentage of their economic output than any other sector.”
Among all the political factions, the Australian Labor Party secured the most substantial portion of contributions from the gaming sector, amassing over 39 million Australian dollars. The Liberal and National parties trailed with 22 million Australian dollars. An extra 16 million Australian dollars went to affiliated bodies, labor groups, and election campaigns.
“This is a heavily regulated sector,” Wood appended. “Government choices are of paramount importance to them.”
In an interview with the ABC, independent legislator Andrew Wilkie expressed apprehensions regarding gambling-linked political contributions, asserting that “when contributions are substantial, they become highly precarious because significant sums of money purchase access and leverage.”
A recent analysis indicates that political contributions in Australia may represent only a fraction of the “shadow money” impacting the political landscape. The ABC reports that legal gaps could allow up to 35% of these contributions to go undisclosed. One specialist went so far as to label the framework, particularly at the national level, “chaotic.”
This revelation follows another troubling report concerning the surge in internet gambling across Australia. This research revealed that the number of Australians engaging in online gambling has increased twofold over the past decade. More alarmingly, over 9% of surveyed adults admitted to experiencing negative consequences from their own gambling habits, while 6% attributed harm to the gambling activities of a close friend or family member.
admin