Australian advertising regulators are banning gambling advertisements from streamed sporting events during certain times of day. The ban is the latest move from the Aussie government to tackle what it sees as a gaming industry that’s completely out of control and enticing minors into a life of gambling and despair.
Under the new regulations, which were implemented by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA), gambling operators are unable to advertise their services on streamed sporting events between the hours of 5:30 a.m. and 8:30 p.m.
The new regulations are another layer of gambling advertising ban that joins other prohibitions that make advertising a sportsbook during a sports broadcast nearly impossible in Australia. (There are a few provisions made for these types of ads between 8:30 p.m. and 5:30 a.m., but they are very limited.
ACMA Chair, Nerida O’Loughlin celebrated the move against advertising by gambling operators saying:
Regulators added online streams to their blanket gambling ad ban after traditional broadcasters claimed that the loophole allowing online advertising was a disadvantage to anyone without online streaming. Presumably, the new rules create an atmosphere where everyone suffers equally.
The new rules are set to be implemented at the end of September and are part of a larger effort in Australia to mitigate the influence of gambling ads on children.