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The Guardian
14-06-2025
- Business
- The Guardian
Tabcorp ‘clearly emboldened' by government inaction on gambling ads, David Pocock says
Tabcorp's plan to lure more gamblers into pubs and hotels through inducements shows the wagering industry has been emboldened by government inaction on gambling ads, according to a crossbench senator, a public health expert and campaigners. Tabcorp's increased use of promotions and special offers is just one part of its broader plan to reinvigorate its betting presence in pubs and hotels, which became dated as the company overwhelmingly focused on the booming online industry. In addition to an ongoing trial of in-play betting at venues in New South Wales, Tabcorp plans to invest in significant renovations to its gaming rooms inside pub and clubs. To offset those costs, it plans to no longer offer a commission to venues that generate less than $10,000 in bets a week. The proposal has triggered a fight with the powerful lobby group for pubs, the Australian Hotels Association, which believes it would unfairly punish about 650 smaller venues already struggling to stay afloat. Tabcorp argues it is a modest hit of about $160 a week and that inducements and renovations will help venues reach the $10,000 threshold. The strategic use of promotions that can only be claimed in pubs and clubs has concerned some long-term critics of the gambling industry, who believe these offers lead to increased harm. Regulators in NSW and Victoria have also said they were watching closely. Sign up for Guardian Australia's breaking news email A federal parliamentary inquiry, led by the late Labor MP Peta Murphy, called for inducements to be banned. The inquiry's June 2023 report focused on online gambling but warned the promotions encouraged riskier bets, higher losses, and undermined harm minimisation messages. Tabcorp's promotions, which reportedly include happy hours and special offers to get people inside pubs, have been described by the company as a rebalancing of its overall inducement offering, with focus shifting away from online betting. The independent ACT senator David Pocock said the Albanese government's failure to formally respond to the Murphy review and ban inducements had 'clearly emboldened the sector'. 'Research shows inducements have contributed enormously to children and young people believing that gambling is a risk-free and normal part of enjoying sport, which is the exact association we should be working to break,' Pocock said. Pocock said Tabcorp's plan to use inducements to help boost profits was 'unsurprising when you consider the government has so little urgency in implementing the 31 recommendations of the Murphy Review'. Martin Thomas, the chief executive of the Alliance for Gambling Reform, also believed the federal government's hesitancy to restrict gambling ads and inducements had emboldened the sector. 'Australia's infamous title as the biggest gambling losers in the world will only get worse without action, as reflected in these latest moves by Tabcorp,' Thomas said. 'The federal government has a golden opportunity to implement all 31 recommendations of the Murphy Review but the report so far has gathered dust for more than two years.' Samantha Thomas, a professor of public health at Deakin University who has conducted research on the impact of inducements, said they are an 'influential form of marketing because they create a perception that the gambling company is giving you something and that gambling has less risk or no risk attached to it'. 'The lack of significant regulator action on inducements only benefits the gambling industry and their ability to extract more and more money from the community.' A spokesperson for the communications minister, Annika Wells, said 'the Albanese government has undertaken some of the most significant gambling harm reduction measures in Australian history'. 'We know there is more to do, and we will continue with this work,' the spokesperson said. In response to criticism of its inducement proposal, a Tabcorp spokesperson said it was 'the most regulated wagering company in Australia'. 'As the state wagering licensee, we work more closely than any other operator with regulators and governments on compliance and harm minimisation,' the spokesperson said. 'Our retail staff undergo compulsory compliance training to identify potential problem gambling behaviour and how to safely intervene.' The Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission, which regulates Tabcorp, said it would be briefed on the proposal in coming weeks. 'The VGCCC will and does intervene where gambling operators fail to comply with their obligations, including in relation to gambling harm,' a spokesperson said. A Liquor & Gaming NSW spokesperson said 'the promotion of gambling, including inducements to gamble, is subject to strict regulatory controls aimed at minimising gambling harm'.
Perth Now
04-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Pinjarra's Exchange Hotel sizzles into steak sanga finals
A Pinjarra pub is raising the stakes with a unique steak sanga offering that's become a juicy contender in WA's premier steak sandwich competition. The organisers of the Australian Hotels Association (WA) and Little Creatures WA's Best Steak Sandwich contest named The Exchange Hotel as one of the four country WA finalists in this year's event. The three others were Margaret River's Settlers Tavern, The Miners Rest, and Australind's Treendale Farm Hotel — with Treendale winning last year. The Exchange Hotel's offering is packed with chargrilled local lamb, a quirky twist on the expected beef cut. The mouthwatering lamb is then topped by cooked tomato, a capsicum and pomegranate molasses, red onion, sumac and house-made feta mint yoghurt, all served on a garlic butter Turkish roll. Exchange head chef Chef Dave Brown said the lamb comes from Midway Farm stall down the road and is 'especially nice'. 'It's Middle Eastern style, which I think is what helped us along, because it's a bit different,' he added. '99 per cent of people love it and all of the feedback I got was about how different and exciting it is compared to normal. 'We're in a position out here where we can get away from a lot of the basic pub stuff, but I don't get too far away from it. ' The Exchange is currently selling more than 100 of the unique lamb sandwiches a week, on top of selling about 250 of the classic beef steak sandwiches. Four Perth metropolitan finalists were also named — Carrington's Bar & Grill in Hamilton Hill, Print Hall in Perth, The Central in Butler, and The Last Local in Canning Vale. Carrington's Bar & Grill is the defending metro champion. The finalists will compete for the titles of country WA champion on June 24 and Perth metro champion on June 25 at the 2025 AHA Hospitality Expo at Crown Perth. They will present their steak sandwiches to a panel of judges who will assess tenderness, presentation, originality, flavour, chips, sauces and value. AHA(WA) chief executive Bradley Woods said the standard of entries continued to impress, with more than 70 venues entering and showcasing exceptional levels of flavour, creativity and presentation. 'WA's Best Steak Sandwich is more than just a competition — it's a sizzling showcase of foodie passion and the incredible talent we have in our pubs and hotels across the State,' he said. 'The energy this year has been fantastic. Venues have thrown themselves into it, especially on social media — rallying their communities and bringing some serious steak sandwich spirit to the competition. 'We're looking forward to seeing what the finalists bring to the stage during the live cook-off to determine the winners.'
West Australian
21-05-2025
- Business
- West Australian
Premier Hotel Albany, Hybla Tavern and Bremer Bay Resort up to win title of WA's best steak sandwich
Three Great Southern pubs are up for the coveted title of best steak sanga in the State in the upcoming Australian Hotels Association awards. Albany's Premier Hotel and Hybla Tavern are joined by the Bremer Bay resort to compete in the 2025 AHA & Little Creatures WA's Best Steak Sandwich competition. The public can choose their preferred sandwich out of 19 regional and 50 metropolitan nominated restaurants. Premier Hotel events and administration manager Yvette Boyd believes her pub's beloved favourite is in with a chance due to its fresh ingredients and traditional style. 'The chef makes their own onion jam on site and it just finishes the sandwich off as a simple classic that works really well,' she said. 'It's a traditional pub-style steak sandwich with really fresh ingredients. 'We even have Tuesday dedicated to our steak sandwiches, with our $25 steak sandwich and pint special.' Bremer Bay Resort's events and marketing manager Veronica Thomas, however, thinks the title belongs a bit further east along the south coast. 'We think our steak sandwich is the greatest because it's packed with 200g of perfectly seasoned, medium-rare steak, layered with melted cheese, fresh lettuce and tomato, sweet and tangy peperonata, and a bold chimichurri sauce — all served in a warm Turkish panini with a side of golden, crispy chips,' she said. '(It's) crafted with care by our talented head chef Noi Boonkerd and her exceptional team.' Hybla Tavern on Middleton Beach is also in the running with its Melaleuka Farm Steak Sandwich, which head chef Arnaldo Ramos said includes a nod to his Filipino heritage while incorporating modern Australian flavours. 'Incorporating our very own premium Melaleuka Farm beef, farmed by us at our family farm in North Dandalup, our steak sandwich consists of only the freshest, locally sourced ingredients and offers our guests an intriguing twist on a traditional steak sandwich, a dish that they would not expect and an unforgettable flavour that will keep them coming back,' he said The public can sample the sandwiches and vote for their favourite online until May 26. The people's vote, combined with the results of mystery judge visits throughout May, will decide the top four metro and regional finalists who will demonstrate their prowess in a live cook-off at the 2025 AHA Hospitality Expo at Crown Perth on June 24 and 25. AHA WA chief executive Bradley Woods said the steak sandwich competition — now in its 18th year — 'captures the heart of Western Australia's vibrant hospitality scene'. It's an opportunity for venues to showcase their culinary flair, engage with their communities, and be recognised for producing one of WA's most iconic and loved dishes. 'This year's competition promises to be a thrilling one, and we encourage everyone to get behind their favourite venue and help them secure a place in the live cook-offs.'
