The Australian government has announced proposals to ban advertising of odds by gambling companies during the broadcast of live sports matches.
Prime Minister Julia Gillard’s government has demanded that the country’s broadcasters amend their broadcasting codes to ensure a reduction in the promotion and advertising of gambling during sporting events.
It has called for all promotion of betting odds on broadcast media to be prohibited during matches and for gambling broadcast advertisements to be banded during play. Adverts, sponsorship logos and other promotions must not appear during play either.
“The public have had enough of odds and betting promotions being shoved down their throats while listening to and watching sport,” the government said. “Younger Australians, in particular, should continue to talk about which is the best football team, best netball team, or best rugby team, not which team is at the shortest odds to win a game. These measures ensure that the watching of sport and the promotion of gambling is kept separate.”
The government now expects that the broadcasting industry will submit a revised code to the Australian Communications and Media Authority that reflects its new position.
Tabcorp, which operates the New South Wales and Victorian TABs and nationally through tab.com.au, which claims to have a 44 per cent share of the Australian wagering market, said its supported the tightening of controls on sports betting advertising proposed by the government.
“The measures outlined by the Federal Government today will help address the concern about the extent and nature of sports betting advertising,” said Tabcorp managing director and CEO David Attenborough. “However, what is important is that these additional controls are applied consistently and enforced to ensure compliance by all wagering operators.
“We remain sensitive to the community’s concern about the intensity of sports betting advertising. We will work with the authorities to get the codes right.”
