As the wagering industry nervously awaits word from the federal government on the laws regulating the advertising and promotion of gambling, there is a greater chance that reform will become a central issue at the upcoming election, writes Bren O’Brien.
COMMENT: Bookie bashing - in a figurative sense – is somewhat of a national pastime in Australia. The traditional us versus them narrative of the betting ring sets those on the stands up as the natural enemy of the everyday punter, and any chance to get an edge is to be pursued.
While this has been muddied somewhat in the corporate betting era, where slick marketing tries to convince us that we are no longer ‘mugs’ but valued clients and encouraged to ‘bet with mates’, the rivalry still runs strong.
Few people better understand the natural instincts of the population than politicians. They are wired to tap into the mindset of the broader public and sense an opportunity for electoral gain.
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