Peter V’landys, the influential head of Racing NSW and chairman of the NRL, has weighed in on the ongoing debate over gambling regulation, defending the modest size of average bets on NRL games and arguing that proposals to curb betting incentives could harm punters.
V’landys, known for his outspoken approach, pointed out that the average wager on NRL matches is just $16. He argued that proposed measures to ban bookmakers from offering free bets and other incentives would not help problem gamblers but instead result in punters losing more money.
His comments follow a parliamentary inquiry by the late Labor MP Peta Murphy, which recommended significant changes to gambling advertising and inducements.
The inquiry’s report, titled You Win Some, You Lose More, called for a phased-out ban on gambling ads over three years, a ban on inducements such as free bets, and the introduction of a levy on online gambling companies to fund harm-reduction efforts. However, V’landys dismissed these recommendations, suggesting they were based more on ideology than evidence. While he acknowledged that certain gambling advertisements may need to be scaled back, he argued that the inquiry’s findings were misinformed.
“I should have clarified that my criticism applied to all the recommendations,” V’landys told The Australian Financial Review on Monday. He admitted that he had been too focused on the gambling ban aspect without addressing the full scope of the proposed changes. V’landys specifically took issue with the proposed ban on gambling inducements, arguing that these offers were no more harmful than common retail promotions like “buy one, get one free.” Without them, he claimed, punters would simply end up losing more of their own money, as these incentives help players continue betting without additional financial risk.
An industry source supported V’landys’s view, emphasizing that such “generosities” were essential for keeping betting apps competitive, given that odds tend to be uniform across platforms. Government sources, however, have suggested that while a ban on inducements may not be included in the official response to the inquiry, the issue will be addressed in collaboration with state and territory governments. A final response is expected by the end of the year.
Communications Minister Michelle Rowland has proposed banning gambling ads across social media platforms but has excluded television ads from her plan. Under her proposal, TV ads would be allowed only an hour before and after live sports broadcasts, with a maximum of two ads per hour until 10 pm.
This plan has been criticized by the gambling industry and sporting organisations, who argue that it is overly restrictive. Meanwhile, reform advocates, including the Greens and independent MPs, have called for a total ban on gambling ads, in line with the inquiry’s recommendations.
At a recent appearance at the 40th Asian Racing Federation Conference, V’landys also shared his vision for the future of horse racing. He expressed a desire to engage younger audiences, particularly teenagers, through mobile apps and “gamification,” inspired by the success of sports like the English Premier League and the US National Basketball Association in building loyal, long-term fanbases. V’landys lamented that horse racing lacked the “tribalism” of other sports, which has helped them attract and retain younger fans.
“The challenge for racing is to get to where other sports are: targeting 14-year-olds,” he said, stressing the need to make the sport appealing and entertaining beyond just gambling.
V’landys’s comments on gambling regulation continue to fuel debate. The broader issue of balancing harm reduction efforts with industry growth remains at the heart of the ongoing discussion.
Source: The Australian Financial Review