Olympic president backs national sports lottery proposal

Monday 28th of November 2016

President of the Australian Olympic Committee John Coates has backed the establishment of a national sport lottery in order to raise funds for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, local media reports.

In September during a post-Olympics briefing, Australian Sports Commission chairman John Wylie noted there were challenges facing Olympics sports as government funding for sports is unlikely to increase.

The lottery would require federal government legislation and most likely face backlash from state governments, but says it would be a good thing for Australian sport.

According to The Australian, Mr Coates on Monday endorsed Mr Wylie’s campaign to create an online lottery that would provide up to $50 million in additional funds for the sports industry.

“We are absolutely supportive of the push for an online national lottery — it’s critical,’’ he said.

However, Coates said there could be some difficulties in getting a national lottery, due to constitutional stipulations.

“On the face of it a national lottery is contrary to the Australian Constitution under which the federal government gets taxes and the states get stamp duties and lotteries,’’ he said.

“But I understand there is an opportunity through an online lottery. I believe John Wylie has legal advice that there’s a way of doing it and I hope it’s successful.’’

The support from Coates will go a long way in convincing the federal government to support the plan.

Lottery Sport