Gambling bosses are hoping to sweet-talk Labor ministers in a bid to overturn a proposed ban on sports betting advertising on social media at a series of events this week, after being blocked from talking to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and the minister in charge of the legislation.
Betting giant Sportsbet has paid for a $110,000-a-year “platinum” membership that gives it access to Labor’s fundraising forum, whose major gathering, which started on Wednesday night and finishes on Friday, is attended by the prime minister and his cabinet.
Wagering company sources said that, in effect, they had been barred from dealing with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Communications Minister Michelle Rowland at fundraising events.Credit: Alex Ellinghausen
Several sports betting executives, including those from peak body Responsible Wagering Australia, which pays about $70,000 to the donor club, are in the crowd.
But unlike bankers seeking out the treasurer …