Gambling companies and associated groups will inject more than $800,000 into a new research centre, sparking fears of a conflict of interest.
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The University of Sydney on Monday announced the Centre of Excellence in Gambling Research that will study behaviour and minimising harm.
The centre highlighted its approach to working with major gambling operators, allowing researchers to conduct live trials and test interventions to change behaviours.
It will receive $600,000 in funding from the International Center for Responsible Gaming over three years, which the university described as a "global leader in research and education on gambling disorder and responsible gambling".
The ICRG states on its website that it receives more than $200,000 each in funding from gambling and resorts bodies including MGM Resorts International, Bally's, Caesars Foundation, FanDuel and Sands Inc.
The university said the centre will receive $180,000 from Entain Australia which operates Ladbrokes and Neds, $50,000 from Sportsbet and $100,000 from the Australian Research Council's Life Course Centre.
The new centre's lead researcher Sally Gainsbury labelled the collaboration "unprecedented" that will enable researchers to "overcome previous limitations in the field".
But Deakin University gambling expert Samantha Thomas said it was very concerning to see a research centre established with industry funding.
"Industries that contribute to harming the health of the public but also have a clear profit motive should have no role at all in research or policy development," she told AAP.
"If there is research done around the gambling industry and its behaviours or preventing gambling harm, then that research needs to be completely at arm's length from the industry."
Prof Thomas is concerned about research interests being steered from areas that could impact on gambling company profits.
"While there might be the best integrity and ethical structures set up around the research, the concern is that a certain type of research is funded which has not always been shown to be helpful in changing the behaviour of the industry."
A University of Sydney spokeswoman told AAP it was acutely aware of the need to avoid conflicts of interest, pointing to the fact that all research needed to pass its ethics committee.
"Funding bodies have no ability to be involved in the conduct or outcomes of the research," the spokeswoman said.
As part of the partnership with gambling operators, Prof Gainsbury said researchers will gain access to de-identified data on gambling behaviours, allowing them a unique opportunity to analyse interventions with a high level of detail.
But Prof Thomas says it is the job of the gambling regulator to ensure data from operators is available to independent researchers.
"We don't need to partner with the gambling industry to get access to data," she said.
Australian Associated Press
