Inside gambling curates the key news items about gambling that have made the headlines in recent weeks.

Gambling and gaming converge

ABC Radio National's 'Background Briefing' recently broadcast a 40-minute investigation into the blurring of the line between gaming and gambling. 'The Fair Game' includes comments from 13-year-old Arthur who talks about how if you 'die' in the game Temple Run you can earn a new life by watching gambling ads.

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Fair game – gambling in free online and mobile games (five-minute podcast)

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Fair game – gambling in free online and mobile games (transcript)

Gambling and the AFL

Former Hawthorn footballer Brent Guerra's decision to talk candidly about his gambling problems in June sparked a flurry of news articles examining the relationships and culture between the AFL and gambling companies.

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Brent Guerra reveals gambling addiction cost him $400,000

Jeff Kennett, former Hawthorn president and former Victorian premier, used a speech in early July to challenge the AFL to make the mental health of the players a higher priority, saying he was aware of a current AFL player who has gambled two years' worth of his salary.

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AFL player has lost two years' pay to gambling addiction: Jeff Kennett

Essendon Football Club announced they would no longer be partnering with any sports betting agencies, saying feedback from their members and concerns for their junior members influenced their decision.

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AFL club Essendon ends commercial partnerships with gambling companies

Gambling ads overshadow Ashes test

The first ball of the Ashes series was overshadowed by what listeners to Melbourne's 3AW described as wall-to-wall gambling advertising. Foundation chief executive Serge Sardo talked to host Tony Jones about the proliferation of gambling ads during sports broadcast.

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Saturation of gambling ads during sport telecasts prompts outcry

Royal Commission hears family violence could lead to more gambling harm

The Royal Commission into Family Violence was told women fleeing violent partners are hiding out in pokie venues, with welfare groups warning this could lead to more gambling harm.

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Battered women hide out in pokies venues

Victorian racing TV blackout

Racing Victoria's new TV broadcasting rights deal with Seven West Media meant that for 10 days in June, no Victorian thoroughbred races were shown in pubs and clubs via Sky Racing across the country.

Racing Victoria reported that betting turnover at race meetings conducted during this period was down two to six per cent. Other reports said betting on Victorian greyhound racing increased by 25 per cent during the blackout period, while betting on international races went up by 18 per cent, indicating that punters prefer to bet on races they can see.

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TV blackout as Racing Victoria and Seven Network fail to agree deal over race broadcasting

Seven's new channel showing the races launched on 26 June, showing a no-frills feed of races, with a full launch expected in late August.

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Channel 78 to go live on Friday

eSports gambling comes to Australia

A deal between Tabcorp and eSports betting company Unikrn means Australians can now bet on professional video game matches. These games are watched by tens of millions of people online, and critics are worried about the effect of this new betting market on young gamers who wouldn't usually gamble. ABC's Triple J 'Hack' program did an interesting analysis of the issues surrounding this introduction to Australia.

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Video game bookies

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Tabcorp offers odds on online games League of Legends and Counter-Strike