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Government poised for ban on betting odds in Sport

Updated: Industry has 12 months to stop broadcasting live betting odds during sports events or face legislation that bans it ouright.

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Are the days numbered for gambling odds to be promoted via television sports games?

News Limited reports that Federal Sports Minister Mark Arbib will hold a teleconference with the NRL, AFL, ARU, Football Federation Australia, Cricket Australia and Netball Australia today.

Eddie McGuire told his Triple M radio audience today, “My understanding is … they will announce, or a push towards, a ban on odds mentioned during radio and TV broadcasts of sporting with the exception of pay and free to air racing.”

This week the State of Origin game included betting odds promoted as an occasional ticker as well as TABSport advertorials. Other TV sports have included even announcers reading out latest betting odds as part of their commentary.

AFL chief Andrew Demetriou, told 3AW today, “This is an issue that we have taken up with the federal government, we’ve taken up with the betting agencies and the venues.

“It is absolutely an issue that this sort of advertising in your face has the potential to get in the heads of young children. And we’ve been very proactive … about having some protocol around this advertising and try and do it a bit more sensitively … and sensibly.”

There are also concerns that sports players could be tempted to pervert the outcome of a match for financial gain. Charges over that very question are pending following an NRL match last August.

“Under our rules, it would lead to more than sacking, it would lead to severe penalties and sanctions. We’re calling on the federal government to adopt the rules of any corruption – it has a jail sentence …” said Demetriou.

But a move to ban or limit betting odds could also impact on sponsorship and revenues for commercial broadcasters.

This week is Responsible Gambling Awareness Week in Victoria.

UPDATE: Sporting codes, broadcasters and betting agencies will be given 12 months to voluntarily cease the practice of live betting odds during sporting events or face legislation under a deal today between state and federal gambling ministers. The ban will stop the promotion of live odds at sporting grounds and in the media.

FreeTV Australia’s Julie Flynn said in a statement, “Commercial free to air broadcasters take very seriously the need to ensure community standards are met and that the advertising and promotion of betting services is undertaken responsibly.

“However, any new restrictions must apply equally across all media platforms. Viewers are accessing content, including sport, in a variety of ways, from a variety of platforms and on a variety of devices.

“It is important that all content services are treated equally. Otherwise affected advertising will simply move to those platforms not subject to regulation”.

Source: The Age, Herald Sun, The Australian

26 Responses

  8. @Sam G

    Read the article, it says racing on PayTV and FTA will be exempt.

    I recon the amount of advertising during the State of Origin was a joke. I don’t watch that much RL on Nine as i don’t get time to but after Wednesday i can’t believe it. Keno was a sponser of the replays, TAB Sportsbet was being plugged all night long and well its just plain annoying. Get rid of it. The AFL does the same with TEN, Foxtel and Seven. Its just urgh! Get rid of it Now!

  9. i am just glad we don’t have to see some no name dribbler sprouting on about markets you can bet on like the other night in the origin

  11. Im a bit of a gambler but could not be more happy with this outcome. Its truly disgusting that on one hand people are told excessive gambling is wrong, yet these are promoted heavily. Next ban all alcohol related advertising during sports (even if they are great revenue) and youve got one happy person right here.

  12. About time ! Hope they ban it from the Cricket as well … I’m sick to the back teeth of being hit over the head with the odds every five minutes .

  13. @NJK. I’ll take that.
    Oh no!!!! there is gambling going on the TV Tonight website. Maybe the nanny federal government that brought you the pensioner set top box will intervene and outlaw

  16. Good, I always find it hippocritical that the government wants to stop excessive gambling and yet on Ch9 (rugby league) have a *KENO* Replay, Sporting Bet live odds and Glen Munzies during the ad breaks giving live odds.

    ..i gotta be fair about this, Fox Sports is guilty of this too.

    This over the top promoting of gambling has gotta stop..

  17. yes get them off air it really pi**es me off that there are so many restrictions on poker machines yet TAB sportsbet can advertise all they want it is just the small minority of idiots who cant control thier gambaling that ruins it for every one else if tab sportsbet can advertise they so should all other forms of gamabling

  18. “But a move to ban or limit betting odds could also impact on sponsorship and revenues for commercial broadcasters.”
    Oh my heart bleeds for the poor babies. Go out and find some more responsible sponsors and advertisers.

  20. I find it amazing they’ve let it get to this stage, but full marks for starting to address the problem – now just to carry it through without too much watering down by the industry.

  21. The SMH is reporting it as a ban on the Live updating of odds rather than a ban on advertising. Silly thing is, can still get the odds Live on the internet.

  22. I hope they don’t chicken out. I also think they should ban it during the news and their adbreaks. I find it absolutely disgusting they are allowed to mention betting except as results. I’m talking specific bets not just gambling agencies.

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