The Australian Media and Communications Authority (ACMA) has recently reiterated the guidelines for gambling advertisements to all licensed broadcasting entities nationwide, specifically during live sporting events.
There appears to be ambiguity regarding the existing regulations, enacted in 2018. For clarity, promotional content for wagering is forbidden on television, internet platforms, and radio during live sports coverage between 5:00 am and 8:30 pm. Beyond these times, the limitations are less stringent.
The ACMA has been diligently observing the situation, including examining data on the positioning of gambling promotions during these broadcasts. They have also engaged with digital platforms to gain a better understanding of their strategies regarding gambling advertisements.
Following a twelve-month assessment, the ACMA has not identified any significant violations of the regulations. However, they did observe discrepancies in how providers interpret certain elements, such as exceptions for concurrent online broadcasts of sporting competitions and the stipulations for documentation retention.
The Australian media watchdog, ACMA, has observed a pattern: television and radio companies are becoming a bit too reliant on exploiting regulations to broadcast live sporting events on the internet. They’re utilizing a guideline designed for specialized viewership to rationalize streaming major matches, even when there’s a high likelihood of significant online attendance.
Essentially, the ACMA is stating, “We understand that online audiences are rapidly growing, and we must consider that. However, let’s not act as if a huge event like a popular championship game is solely intended for a small group of dedicated enthusiasts.”
Furthermore, the ACMA discovered discrepancies in how broadcasters are maintaining records of their internet broadcasts, presenting a separate concern. While they value the attempts to document these activities, they’re urging everyone to adhere to the established guidelines.