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ACMA fines Seven for repeated breaches over gambling ads

Seven pays media watchdog $13,000 after a repeat offence of gambling ads screened during Sport on 7Plus.

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Seven has breached online content rules by showing gambling advertising during live sports coverage on 7plus.

An Australian Communications and Media Authority investigation found a gambling advertisement was shown at 10.38am on 7plus during a live stream of an NFL American Football game on 12 December 2022.

Gambling promotions cannot be shown during live streams of sporting events between 5am and 8.30pm, including the five minutes before and after a game.

This breach follows the ACMA publishing a formal warning to Seven in October 2022 for a similar incident.

As a result Seven has paid a penalty of $13,320 for the breach, the maximum amount the ACMA is able to apply.

ACMA Chair Nerida O’Loughlin, “The ACMA expects broadcasters to have robust systems and processes and associated assurance mechanisms in place to support compliance with these laws.”

Seven claimed it was an isolated event and that it had implemented additional measures to avoid future errors, including additional oversight and training.

“Seven has told us that the measures it has in place are adequate to ensure future compliance and it does not need to do more. Following repeated breaches by Seven, we will continue to closely monitor their compliance with the rules to make sure that is the case,” Ms O’Loughlin said.

Yesterday SBS announced a new option is coming for SBS on Demand viewers to opt-out of ads for gambling, alcohol or quick service restaurants in 2024.

  • Tagged with NFL

6 Responses

  2. You’d think channel 7 would learn their lesson in the previous times they’ve broken the law. Guess they think they’re above the law. Who’s in charge of advertising anyway? They need to be fired.

  4. A $13,320 breach fine is a bit like getting a wrap across the knuckles with a feather duster considering the revenue commercial TV makes from screening sports gambling advertising, I would also take the defensive comments (or amusing excuses) by Seven with a pinch of salt as well, I’m pretty sure all broadcasters that link their sports telecasts with sports betting would have tried the same thing given half a chance.

  5. I did not know that outside of 5am and 8.30pm gambling ads were allowed during live sport broadcasts. I thought gambling ads were banned once the game had started no matter the time of day.

    As such, I always wondered why Kayo would stream a gambling ad during, for example, the drinks break in a cricket match … hasn’t the game started and therefore the gambling ad would be illegal? I will note the time when I see the 1st gambling ad during tonight’s New Zealand vs South Africa WC cricket match.

    Me thinks, the relevant law(s) need to be changed.

    Finally, $13K fine? Just a “slap on the wrist with a feather duster”. It’s no wonder Seven was caught committing the same offence multiple times. ACMA needs to get serious about upholding the current laws; no matter how weak they are, IMHO, a $13K fine & accepting that Seven has changed their processes is simply not strong enough.

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