The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has determined that Seven Network and Nine Network broke rules concerning betting advertisements by showing gambling ads during sporting events.
An ACMA inquiry discovered that Seven Network displayed 49 gambling promotions during its Olympics coverage in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, and Adelaide between July and August 2021. Furthermore, Seven Network aired ads during its live Olympics broadcasts.
Another inquiry conducted by the ACMA also found that Nine Network aired a gambling advertisement during the halftime break of the National Rugby League Grand Final on October 3, 2021, at 8:21 PM.
Rules put in place in March 2018 banned all gambling ads from being shown on Australian television during sporting events between 5 AM and 8:30 PM. This prohibition was expanded to streaming services in September of the same year.
Betting ads are permitted after 8:30 PM, but only during designated breaks. For extended events like the Olympics, broadcasters and streaming service providers are not allowed to air ads between 5 minutes before the start of the first game of the day and 8 PM.
At 3:00 PM, and no more than once every two hours after that time.
To address the findings, Seven and Nine have both come to agreements with the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) to put in place systems to prevent further violations and to educate staff who are responsible for scheduling and broadcasting gambling commercials in sporting programs.
Seven and Nine will also monitor complaints and responses related to gambling advertisements, while both broadcasters are required to report to the ACMA on the effectiveness of the training and the new systems and procedures.
Moreover, Seven received a formal warning for its live broadcast violations.
“These regulations are designed to address public concerns about excessive exposure to gambling promotions,” ACMA Chair Nerida O’Loughlin stated. “Seven and Nine are both clearly aware of their duty to limit these commercials to specific times,” Ms. O’Loughlin stated.
“Many families enjoy watching sports as a shared activity, and parents are worried that children exposed to these ads may come to view gambling as a part of the sport.
“It is disappointing that both networks failed to uphold their duties during such high-profile sporting events.”
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