Australia’s largest gambling company, Tabcorp, has been approached by Prime Minister Scott Morrison with a proposal that he hopes will incentivise more Australian citizens to get their COVID-19 vaccinations.
The Morrison government has offered to work in conjunction with operator Tabcorp to run a vaccine lottery directed solely for people who are protected against the virus as it seeks to get 80% of the country fully vaccinated.
Morrison’s approach comes as a direct response to proposals set out by the opposing Labour Party which has earmarked a payment of AU$300 payment for every person who gets their jabs before a December 1 deadline.
According to press reports the PM opposes the Labour plans on the basis that he believes there is no immediate requirement to incentivise citizens with cash to get vaccinations. He added that the government has an issue with “bad policy”, not with incentives.
Morrison’s move to introduce a vaccine lottery mirrors similar initiatives in the US where several states have dedicated lottery draws to people who are fully protected from the virus.
Among those states to offer million dollar jackpots are Ohio, California, Colorado, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oregon, Washington, and West Virginia.