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ACMA rules against gambling ads on Nine / TEN

ACMA rules that ads for an interactive gambling service on Nine and TEN in 2009 were a no-no.

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Channels Nine and TEN have both been found to have breached their license for running interactive gambling advertisements.

The Australian Communications and Media Authority found that both networks ran several promotions for PokerStars.net, an interactive gambling service which contravenes the Interactive Gambling Act 2001 (IGA).

“These are the ACMA’s first investigations into advertisements prohibited under the Interactive Gambling Act,” said ACMA Chairman, Mr Chris Chapman, “All providers of television, radio and datacasting services need to ensure sure they are fully aware of and comply with their obligations under the IGA.”

Nine ran ads for PokerStars during its Wimbledon broadcast in July 2009 while TEN ran similar ads in November 2009 in conjunction with its reality series on ONE, The Poker Star.

ACMA says these are the first investigations relating to the broadcast of prohibited advertisements under the IGA. Both networks have agreed to measures intended to increase awareness of the IGA, with staff training, education and periodic reports to ACMA.

10 Responses

  1. What about the Sportsbet ads on Channel 7 and Channel 9? I wouldn’t be surprised if it was also on Channel 10/One too. For AFL and cricket at least. As well as other things. Wish they’d face serious fines that would go up for every new mention of the same kind of ad. Or at least a million dollar fine each time (preferably harsher every time).

  2. I don’t think anyone in network TV is the least bit concerned about ACMA. By the time they actually work through the process of investigating a complaint or contravention and then make a ruling, eons have passed and no one cares anymore. And to networks, “staff training and education” is usually code to send out for pizzas and a slab. A dribbling, gummy tiger.

  4. interestingly, the NZ courts ruled that advertisements for pokerstars.net (where no money changes hands) were legal nzherald.co.nz

    Funny there is no mention of the sportsbet.com ads? they stepped in with the slogan “for those who like to bet on the net” – but I see those ads are still running on air so they must not be subject to the same laws.

  5. “How long does it take them to view the footage, lookup the rulebook, and write a report?”

    These are the guys who are about to start censoring the billions of pages on the Internet. lol.

  6. @Nik C – I agree. If people want to bet on sporting events all well and good, but I do cringe a bit when the betting agencies actually sponsor the broadcast. I wonder if the Pakistan cricket team has a deal with Sportbet?

  8. Why is ACMA reporting on this more than a year after it occurred. How long does it take them to view the footage, lookup the rulebook, and write a report? If they are so far behind, why aren’t they either given more resources to catch up, or told to let the minor complaints pass?

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