The Joint Select Committee on Gambling reform has agreed to delay the tabling of its report until 28 June 2013 on the advertising and promotion of gambling services in sport to allow another hearing to be organised, at which Tom Waterhouse has been formally requested to provide evidence.

At public hearings in Canberra, Melbourne and Sydney witnesses, including representative from the National Rugby League, Australian Wagering Council, Sportsbet, Betfair, Australian Football League, Australian commercial television networks and the Australian Crime Commission, provided oral evidence to the Committee in relation to advertising and the promotion of gambling services in sport.

Witnesses provided evidence in relation to a broad range of topics. Key themes included:

  • the distinction between commentary teams and bookmakers;
  • the influence of advertising and the promotion of gambling in sport on children;
  • commercial relationships between bookmakers and sporting codes and whether they create a potential conflict of interest; and
  • the impact of sports betting on the integrity of sport.

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