Australian Senator Expelled from Parliamentary Sports Club After Criticizing Bookmaker Sponsorship

^{Pictured: Senator David Pocock}

Australian Senator David Pocock has been expelled from the Parliamentary Sports Club after criticizing the group’s close ties to the gambling industry, The Guardian reports.

Pocock had publicly condemned the club’s sponsorship deals with betting companies, calling such partnerships inappropriate because, in his view, bookmakers use them to promote their interests among politicians.

The Parliamentary Sports Club is sponsored by Responsible Wagering Australia (RWA) — an independent industry body representing licensed betting operators in the country. Its members include major bookmakers such as Bet365, Betfair, PointsBet, Sportsbet, and Unibet. The association promotes responsible gambling standards, regulatory engagement, and the protection of operator interests within Australian legislation.

The club’s executive director Andy Turnbull informed Pocock that he was no longer welcome at its events, accusing him of politicizing the organization.

However, the decision to expel Pocock could still be reconsidered. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese commented on the situation, saying: “The idea that parliamentarians simply playing sport exert influence equivalent to lobbying is absurd. But participation in the club should be open to everyone.”

Earlier, Gambling Park reported that Australia remains the global leader in gambling expenditure per capita.