Prime Minister Lennon of Tasmania, Australia, is accused of accepting bribes for his role in licensing Betfair in his state. Newspapers revealed that some days before announcing to license Betfair in his State, Lennon accepted a US$ 15.000 hotel upgrade from a hotel owned by the Packer company, Betfair’s joint venture partner in Tasmania.

Lennon, who first denied, but then acknowledged the accusations, said the hospitality treatment was not inappropriate. He qualified the revelations as part of a smear campaign by the Murdoch company and others with an interest in Australian racing.