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9Now in breach over gambling ads

ACMA takes action after 9Now aired gambling ads during the State of Origin pre-game.

9Now has breached a rule on gambling advertising during online streams and has the media watchdog is taking action.

An Australian Communications and Media Authority investigation found 9Now aired gambling advertisements during the pre-game programming for State of Origin Games 1 and 2 last year.

Under gambling advertising rules, restrictions start five minutes before ‘kick-off’ if the broadcaster lets viewers know when the game starts at least 24 hours in advance. In this case, Nine did not do this, so the rules applied five minutes before the pre-game coverage.

ACMA Chair Nerida O’Loughlin said the rules prohibit all gambling advertising during live sport streamed online between 5.00 am and 8.30 pm.

“I hope this sends a message to all streaming services that this is something they need to get right,” Ms O’Loughlin said.

“One of the reasons these rules are in place is to allow families to watch live sport without exposing children to gambling.”

ACMA is requiring Nine to conduct staff training and to submit two written reports showing compliance with the rules over the next 12 months.

If Nine does not comply with the remedial direction, the ACMA may seek penalties of up to $420,000.

3 Responses

  1. These fines are not high enough in my opinion, sports gambling is good business for commercial TV and also Foxtel as well, it’s mutually beneficial for both industries so if fines that don’t hit their bottom line, it wont work.
    Having said that unless their is a public outcry about sports betting nothing is ever going to happen to stop its exponential growth. I suspect most Australian’s really don’t care too much about the subject, with many being betting app subscribers.

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