The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) announced that two major Australian commercial free-to-air television networks – Seven Network (also known as Channel Seven) and Nine Network, which is the second highest-rated television network in the country after Seven Network – were found to have violated gambling advertising rules. Allegedly, the two Australian TV networks have shown gambling promotions to local customers during sporting events.
As unveiled by an investigation carried out by the country’s communications and media regulator body, Seven Network aired a total of 49 betting promotions throughout July and August 2021, during the channel’s Olympic coverage in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, and Perth broadcasts. The TV network was also found to have targeted Australian viewers with gambling adverts through its live stream of the Olympics.
On the other hand, a separate investigation headed by the ACMA was held into Nine Network. It found that a gambling advert was broadcast by the TV channel at 8:21 PM during the half-time break of the grand final of the National Rugby League (NRL) that took place on October 3rd, 2021.
Both companies were found to have breached gambling advertising rules in Australia.
Nerida O’Loughlin, the chair of the regulator, said that local people were getting increasingly concerned about the potentially harmful nature of gambling adverts. She shared that the rules have been specially created to address community concerns regarding viewers’ excessive exposure to betting promotions. Ms O’Loughlin further noted that both Seven Network and Nine Network were fully aware that they were supposed to air gambling ads at certain times, in line with the restrictions associated with high-profile sporting events.
Australian Broadcasters Suspended from Airing Gambling Ads from 5:00 AM to 8:30 PM
For the time being, Australian broadcasting groups are not allowed to air gambling adverts during live sporting events coverage in the period from 5:00 AM to 8:30 PM. After the 8:30 PM watershed, they can show gambling advertising but there are some mandatory defined breaks that need to be taken into account, so broadcasters have to comply with additional rules.
When it comes to long-form events, such as the Olympic Games, they are required not to show gambling ads from 5 minutes prior to the start of the first event of the day until the 8:30 PM watershed. Apart from that, such ads are not allowed to be aired more than once every two hours after that time. The same rules also apply to live streams.
The ACMA’s chair shared that it was quite disappointing that both networks have failed to meet their responsibilities, especially considering the fact that it came to high-profile sporting events.
Both Channel Seven and Nine Network have entered into court-enforceable undertakings with the commercial and media regulator, under which they are required to implement certain systems in order to make sure they would not break the rules again. They are also required to refresh their staff training regarding gambling advertising scheduling and broadcasting during sports programmes. Apart from that, they are also required to track the complaints and responses regarding gambling ads.
Seven Network faced a formal warning for its live stream violations. Both TV networks are required to report back to the ACMA on the effectiveness of the new systems and practices and on their staff training, providing some details on how they have resolved any issues that might have arisen during that time.
- Author
Olivia Cole
