Accountable Wagering Australia (RWA) has been publicly criticized for alleged entry to politicians by way of a sponsored sports activities membership.
The group in query is the Australian Parliament Sports activities Membership, which is funded partially by lobbyist teams and different rich backers.
A type of sponsors is RWA, which has gained the ire of crossbench MPs in Australia, particularly Unbiased MP Kate Chaney, who has taken subject with the ties the lobbying group has to playing companies as a battle of curiosity.
Senator David Pocock shared his views on the alleged lobbying group receiving preferential therapy and entry by X.
Shameless of the playing business’s peak physique to attempt to leverage parliamentary sport after which additionally affiliate themselves with a neighborhood psychological well being group doing nice working to stop suicide.https://t.co/T8R9L7AHHX
— David Pocock (@DavidPocock) September 16, 2025
Australian Parliament Sports activities Membership underneath fireplace for playing ties
As reported by The Guardianthe membership has come underneath fireplace because of RWA’s ties to playing companies and has been alleged to be appearing on behalf of teams that search to affect political favour.
RWA represents a few of Australia’s greatest playing companies and bookmakers, together with Bet365, Betfair, and PointsBet. The Guardian report additionally make clear the truth that RWA lobbied in opposition to the entire ban of playing promoting on behalf of those teams.
The connection between RWA and political leaders, facilitated by the Australian Parliament Sports activities Membership, is now underneath scrutiny by the crossbench MPS and political critics.
Chaney, by way of the information report, mentioned, “The business’s affect has turn into normalised, with nobody batting an eyelid at lobbyists turning up at pleasant parliamentary sports activities occasions.”
The Australian MP additionally highlighted that the present chief of the nation, Anthony Albanese, chairs the Australian Parliament Sports activities Membership.
She mentioned, “The prime minister, because the chair of the Australian Parliament Sports activities Membership and a sports activities lover, should take away RWA’s company membership.”
Jim Wackett, a key determine within the mixture of Australia’s playing reform group, additionally posted his ideas by way of social media, saying “Playing foyer sponsoring parliamentary sports activities membership.”
“Company membership of the membership begins at $2,500, based on its web site, and permits sponsors to entry “key opinion leaders” and “over 200 parliamentary members” at social video games and features.”
Playing foyer sponsoring parliamentary sports activities membership https://t.co/P9gAYomgb1
— Jim Wackett (@Jim_Wackett) September 16, 2025
RWA refutes allegations of favour
Kai Cantwell, the chief government of RWA, responded to the backlash from Chaney and different critics of the political ties. He mentioned, “RWA’s work on regulation and hurt discount occurs by the correct parliamentary and regulatory processes, not on the sporting area.”
There’s a notable tie that’s hidden from view, says The Guardian, and that comes within the type of the omission of RWA’s official company membership of the Australian Parliament Sports activities Membership on the group’s web site.
The group additionally promotes the $2,500 price to fund the group, which comes with the chance for sponsors to realize entry to “key opinion leaders” and “over 200 parliamentary members” at occasions hosted by the Australian Parliament Sports activities Membership.
Cantwell disregarded the criticism of the ties, saying, “Like different industries, we (RAW) sometimes participate merely to get pleasure from train and socialising – one thing vital for all Australians, notably in high-pressure roles.”
Featured picture: MP Kate Chaney by way of Fb
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