The Roar
The Roar

Advertisement

A win for the world's biggest losers: Aussies

Roar Guru
27th May, 2011
3

Television’s own “cash for comment” scandal appears to have been nipped in the bud, and ministers should take a bow. Their move to axe broadcasting of live odds during sporting matches is so obviously in the community’s best interests that Big Sport itself saw it coming and welcomed it.

Its most insidious aspect is the apparently seamless chat about the latest odds that is woven into commentary.

If that’s part of the deal with betting sponsors, then it’s difficult to see how it’s markedly different from radio’s “cash for comment” scandal 12 years ago.

Alan Jones and John Laws were paid to give favourable comment to sponsors without disclosing the arrangement to listeners.

Sports commentators may be under no obligation to give “favourable” comment to gambling sponsors, but any mention of odds is clearly favourable to the sponsors’ interests.

Is it always crystal clear to all viewers that these are paid spots? Hardly.

Especially when the viewers are high schoolers and primary schoolers.

Gambling is also normalised for those kids every time they see odds flash up on scoreboards as they watch their favourite footy teams, and hear ground announcers spruik them.

Advertisement

“There’s a very insidious culture starting to develop that’s targeting the vulnerable and the young,” said Communications Minister Stephen Conroy.

This problem hasn’t been around for long.

The COAG ministers acted quickly, and the sports should be thankful because this helps protect their integrity.

There’s a place for responsible gambling, but Australians hardly need any encouragement to bet.

The average adult lost $1290 last year.

That already makes us the world’s biggest losers.

This one’s a win.

Advertisement
close