21st January, 2016
The Australian Christian Lobby has called for a Senate inquiry into sports betting in Australia in the wake of this week’s allegations of match-fixing and corruption in the top level of tennis.
Lyle Shelton, managing director of the ACL, also condemned the decision to allow, for the first time, gambling advertising at the Australian Open, saying William Hill’s "advertising blitz" should be pulled immediately pending a Senate inquiry.
"We share the reported concerns of tennis stars such as Andy Murray that it is hypocritical for tennis authorities to say they are trying to stamp out match-fixing while partnering with a major gambling company which allowed to advertise at the Australian Open," he said in a statement.
Mr Shelton said the ACL also agreed with calls from Jane Garrett, Victorian Minister for Gaming, and Tim Costello, of the Alliance for Gambling Reform, to a "national conversation on gambling, particularly looking at the impact of gambling advertising on kids and young people".
The call follows publication of the results of a joint BBC/BuzzFeed News investigation earlier this week which they claims shows "evidence of widespread suspected match-fixing".
– DAVID ADAMS
