Mapping corporate sponsorship of alcohol and gambling associations: An Australian pilot study

Alcohol and gambling industries use a range of strategies to oppose and undermine public health policies targeting their industries. Industry associations often play a visible role in advancing alcohol and gambling industry interests, yet there are few studies analysing who their members or partners are and the relationships between them. Our study developed an approach to map the landscape of Australian alcohol and gambling associations, their members and partners and the connections between commercial actors.

We conducted our study in four phases: first, we systematically searched for alcohol and gambling industry associations; second, we identified and classified association members and/or partners; third, we mapped three types of relationships between associations and members/partners (umbrella associations, co-location and joint membership/partnerships); lastly, we analysed the disclosures of the members and partners of the Australian Hotels Associations and Clubs Associations.

We identified 126 industry associations and 1486 unique companies/organisations from multiple industry sectors that were members/partners. Only 75 (59.5%) associations provided a list of members/partners. Most companies/organisations were partners of only one association (n = 1218), while five companies were partners of more than 20 associations. Concerning relationships, we identified five national clusters, 27 instances of co-location and an extensive network linking associations through shared partnerships. Finally, we assessed 658 relationships between Hotels and Clubs Associations and their partners, of which only 91 (13.8%) were transparently disclosed.

In Australia, many alcohol and gambling industry associations do not disclose their members or corporate partners and provide limited funding information. Members and corporate partners of Australian alcohol and gambling industry associations rarely disclose their support and are diverse in focus, size, members, partners, purpose and activities.