Sportsbet under fire for bets on whether marriage equality will pass
Image: Image: Twitter.
Betting agency Sportsbet has been slammed for advertising betting on the outcome of the marriage equality postal survey.
So far, 62 per cent of votes have been for a yes outcome, according to News.com.au.
Sportsbet claims it is doing nothing wrong.
“We haven’t had people letting us know it’s been a problem now or in the past five years,” said a spokesperson.
“I think the postal vote is distressing people, not the market, because this has been here for five years.”
Sydney MP Alex Greenwich condemned the promotion.
“To vote on the validity of some Australians’ relationships is bad enough, but to bet on them is a whole new low,” he said.
“I think Sportsbet, to be making money on this process, is deeply concerning.”
Greenwich suggested the company should donate the money to charity.
The betting promotion has recently been advertised in social media, drawing ire from users.
“This is actually disgusting,” tweeted one person. “What the fuck is wrong with y’all?”
“This is fucking disgusting,” posted another.
Sportsbet is currently offering $1.38 for a yes vote and $3 for a no outcome.
https://twitter.com/GordyPls/status/259149214813138944
https://twitter.com/__JesseJ/status/912594726586433536
https://twitter.com/LaurenEva_M/status/912878722901929984
https://twitter.com/DanielRadiance/status/912591353988530176
It’s not disgusting – you can bet on anything you like. Personally I would love to see the no voters lose their money because some of them are so sure its going to carry they are counting their chickens ….