ACMA Issues Warning to 10 Play over Gambling Ad Violations
The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has warned the Ten Network after it violated gambling ad restrictions by broadcasting 17 betting commercials during live sports.
10 Play warned by ACMA for airing gambling ads during live sports.
LISTEN TO THIS ARTICLE:ACMA issued a warning to 10 Play, Ten’s streaming platform, as this is its first infraction. However, the network may face penalties if it happens again.
In 2022, a bipartisan committee led by the late Labor MP Peta Murphy recommended a total ban on gambling advertisements during live sports. However, the government seems likely to soften this proposal and instead implement a partial ban.
Multiple Ads from Several Companies
Viewers reported seeing multiple gambling ads from various companies during the live streams of the Central Coast Mariners vs. Newcastle Jets A-League Women’s match and the Socceroos vs. England friendly on 14 October 2023.
Carolyn Lidgerwood, an ACMA representative, emphasized the need for Network Ten to comply with legal standards for gambling ad placements.
These rules are designed to reduce the potential harm that gambling promotions can cause. Streaming services are expected to adhere to these laws.
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Public Concerns over Gambling Ads
Last year, the public expressed concern over the prevalence of gambling ads during live sports coverage on various platforms and broadcasters. ACMA’s report revealed that over 1 million gambling commercials aired on free-to-air TV and radio within a year, with an estimated $238 million spent on advertising aimed at enticing people to bet.
Ten attributed the violation to a manual coding error. In a similar case last year, Channel Seven was fined $13,320 for repeatedly breaching the ban by airing a gambling ad at 10:38 AM during a live NFL game on 7plus on 12 December 2022. Previously, ACMA had warned Seven that it would face financial penalties after the network aired 49 betting ads during the 2020 Olympics.
Current regulations prohibit gambling commercials during live-streamed sports events between 5 AM and 8:30 PM, including the five minutes before and after the event. However, these ads are allowed between 8:30 PM and 5 AM, and from 8:30 AM to 4 PM during any program not specifically aimed at children.
The parliamentary committee has proposed a gradual ban over three years, aiming to restrict gambling ads between 6 AM and 10 PM and completely ban online gambling ads and sponsorship by the end of the third year.
Meanwhile, Free TV Australia, the peak body for free-to-air commercial broadcasters, opposes further restrictions on gambling ads, arguing that such measures could jeopardize the free broadcast of sports. The lobby group claims that commercial networks earn approximately $200 million annually from gambling advertisements.
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