Punters advocate Rich Irvine has spent the past decade trying to get state and federal governments to listen to the punters' voice when it comes to developing wagering policy. It is a task that is becoming frustrating, with little response but there is a glimmer of hope.
Last week, I read Bren O’Brien’s article in this publication about the federal government engaging with wagering industry stakeholders for the second time ahead of pending gambling reform.
After Labor’s election win, because not one punter was invited to the first round of stakeholder talks pre-election, I recorded this address to the Prime Minister outlining a constructive, fair-minded plan for both punters and the broader industry. It got a decent response online - but, predictably, nothing from the government.
Over the past decade, I’ve written five detailed letters to sitting ministers responsible for the wagering sector. Every time, I’ve received the same generic response from a staffer, outlining how seriously they take problem gambling (which I never asked to learn about), without ever addressing the actual issues I raised. The most recent example was in May, when I wrote to Communications Minister Anika Wells, asking if she intended to follow through on the latest inquiry’s recommendation to consult punters. Again, no real response.
Punters remain locked out of a conversation that will determine the structure, sustainability and fairness of the wagering industry in this country. They didn’t want to hear from us before the election - and now, even after realising how complex and vital this industry is, they still won’t consult punters. It’s extraordinary.
There is one glimmer of hope. I’ve spoken directly with the CEOs of Racing NSW, Racing Victoria and Racing Queensland. All three said they’d seen my address to the PM and agreed that punters deserve a voice - and they’ve pledged to support the case for us to be heard.
You can read my letter to Minister Wells and her staffer’s response below.
On Thu, 22 May 2025 at 14:05, Richard Irvine wrote
Hi Anika,
Congratulations on your appointment as Minister for Communications and Minister for Sport.
My name is Richard Irvine - I’m a lifelong punter and work professionally in the wagering industry. I’ve been a vocal advocate for punters' rights, contributing to the recent online gambling inquiry with submissions that helped shape parts of the final recommendations, particularly around bookmaker practices.
While I welcome reform, I was disappointed that punters weren’t given a seat at the table during your government's consideration of the report. For many of us, punting is a harmless, social way of life - and I believe a fairer, more balanced perspective is badly needed.
After the election, I recorded a video message to Prime Minister Albanese highlighting these concerns. Here it is: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IUFZmGX2Cis I’d love for you to take a moment to watch it, and I’d be happy to meet with you or your team in Canberra to discuss ways punters can be fairly represented in this conversation. I also have pasted a summary.
Wishing you all the best in your new roles - I hope you’ll find time for the punting nation.
Kind regards,
Rich Irvine
On Thu, 16 June 2025 Andrew Verdon (MP Wells staff) wrote:
Dear Mr Irvine
Thank you for your correspondence of 22 May 2025 to the Hon Anika Wells MP, Minister for Communications and Minister for Sport, about the Online Gambling Inquiry. The Minister has asked me to reply on her behalf.
The Australian Government takes seriously its responsibility to protect Australians –particularly children and young people – from the harms of online gambling.
The Government is closely considering the 31 recommendations from the House ofRepresentatives Standing Committee on Social Policy and Legal Affairs inquiry into online gambling and its impacts on those experiencing gambling harm (Online Gambling Inquiry).
The Government undertook a thorough consultation process that raised additional considerations that the Government will continue to work through.
Reforms taken forward from the Online Gambling Inquiry will complement initiatives the Government has already put in place to reduce gambling harms including:
• launching BetStop – the National Self-Exclusion Register for online wagering in
August 2023, with over 43,000 registrations to date
• introducing mandatory customer pre-verification in September 2023, which requires
wagering service providers to verify a customer’s identity before they can place a bet
• banning the use of credit cards for online wagering from June 2024
• introducing mandatory minimum classifications for gambling-like content in computer games, which commenced in September 2024.
Thank you for taking the time to write to provide your views on this matter. I trust that this information will be of assistance.
Yours sincerely
Andrew Verdon
Director – Broadcasting and Gambling Policy
Media Policy Division
16 June 2025
