South Australian in-play advertising ban fast tracked
Ban on live sporting odds advertising to take effect on 1 August after application approved by local regulator
The South Australian government has successfully fast tracked its proposals to ban live odds advertising during sporting events following approval from the Independent Gambling Authority (IGA).
IGA director Robert Chappell told eGaming Review that the ban will now come into force on 1 August, as opposed to the original 1 December implementation date, to cover the second half of Australia’s popular football season.
Betting agencies failing to adhere to the regulations could face initial fines of AU$10,000. This could increase to up to $100,000 for repeat offences with offenders running the risk of being barred from operating in South Australia.
Premier of South Australia, Jay Weatherill, said the move was to ensure “separation between sport and gambling”, making a distinction between “something that is seen as a pastime and something that’s increasingly being turned into just another opportunity for gambling”.
“We think that’s an important separation and we think a line in the sand needed to be drawn and we feel this is an important opportunity to do it,” Weatherill added.
South Australia has become the country’s first state to enforce the restrictions on in-play advertising which were initially proposed in May, however efforts have also been made at national government level to push through an Australia-wide ban.
Last month a parliamentary committee, the Joint Select Committee on Gambling Reform, proposed a complete ban of live odds during the broadcast of games and urged for a review of betting promotions and gambling advertisements described as “intrusive”. Former Prime Minister Julia Gillard championed such a ban, urging broadcasters to block the promotion of in-play odds and suggesting legislation could be fast-tracked if they failed to comply voluntarily.