“Break the Link Between Sport and Betting”: Khawaja Speaks Out on Gambling Risks

Experienced opener Usman Khawaja has spoken out against gambling in Australian sports. He urged the government to take action and protect children from the harmful impact of gambling.

Khawaja Urges Government to Ban Gambling Ads in Sport to Protect Young People

The senior Australian batsman said the Anthony Albanese government had been “way too slow” to ban gambling ads. He emphasized that it’s important to break the link between betting and sport to protect young people.

“The relationship that young kids are having with gambling is scary and it’s dangerous. We are normalising gambling for the younger generation,” Khawaja said alongside a group of MPs, public health academics, doctors and other experts at Parliament House.

The left-handed player said many people are getting addicted, and something needs to be done quickly to fix it.

“I can’t watch an NRL (National Rugby League) game without getting odds right before a game. I play grade cricket with young cricketers who are coming through. There are 16-year-olds with gambling accounts and they cannot watch the game without putting a bet on,” he reflected.

“Ban gambling from sport – it’s quite simple. You have to go cold turkey, it’s the same as what happened with tobacco. We have a responsibility. If gambling is repeatedly being brought together with sport and athletes, showing you can’t watch sport without gambling, then it is a very, very dangerous precedent to set,” Khawaja said.

Usman Khawaja Meets Australian Leaders Amid Sports Gambling Concerns

Usman Khawaja met Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Treasurer Jim Chalmers on Thursday, according to Guardian Australia. Chalmers called Khawaja a friend and said he was a “truly kind and caring person.”

“We have a lot of respect [for Khawaja] and we listened to him on the issues … he’s a leader of real substance, not just the leader in the faith community, but a leader more broadly. I take his contribution very seriously. I’m grateful … that he’s made the time to come and talk with us directly about these issues,” Chalmers said.

Guardian Australia reported that the Australian government had planned to introduce new laws before the federal election in May. However, the plan was put on hold because broadcasters, sports organizations, and some bookmakers strongly opposed it.

Prime Minister Albanese recently told Parliament that the government was worried a ban on sports gambling might push people to gamble with offshore sites. These overseas services are illegal in Australia and don’t have the same protections for players, Guardian Australia added.

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