Calls for gambling on elections to be 'outlawed'
ANTI-GAMBLING campaigners Andrew Wilkie and Nick Xenophon have called on the Federal Government to ban betting on elections.
The independent politicians, both of whom were elected in part due to their opposition to poker machines, said they were "dismayed by the high visibility of betting odds" in election coverage.
"Gambling on elections is improper and should be outlawed," Mr Wilkie said.
"The Federal Government should prohibit gambling on elections.
"The promotion of election betting in the news media only serves to normalise gambling and generate free publicity for online bookmakers."
The Member for Denison suggested betting on elections opened the system up to corruption.
He said as long as the practice remained legal political parties needed to ban candidates and staff from wagering on election outcomes.
"Election betting also raises the risk of insiders placing bets on outcomes they have control over," Mr Wilkie said.
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