The Australian Media and Communications Authority (ACMA) is reiterating to all broadcasting licensees the regulations concerning wagering promotions.
There appears to be some ambiguity regarding the existing guidelines, especially pertaining to live sporting events. As a refresher: commencing in 2018, broadcasting gambling advertisements during live sports transmissions between 5am and 8:30pm is prohibited – regardless of whether it’s on television, internet platforms, or radio. Beyond these timeframes, the regulations are slightly less stringent.
The ACMA has been diligently monitoring the situation. They have been gathering data on gambling promotions during live sporting events and even liaising with digital platforms to obtain further details about their advertising protocols.
Following a year of observation, it seems that no significant problems have arisen. Nevertheless, the ACMA did identify some discrepancies in how providers interpret the regulations. For instance, there were inquiries regarding the applicability of exemptions (such as the one for online simultaneous broadcasts of live sporting events) and the proper procedures for recordkeeping.
The Australian media regulator, ACMA, is expressing apprehensions regarding the utilization of a specific exception within broadcasting regulations. This particular exception permits the television broadcast of certain sporting competitions, even those lacking a substantial viewership. The ACMA observes a frequent application of this exception, occasionally in manners that appear to favor less prominent subscription-based television networks.
Given the increasing prevalence of Australians opting to stream sporting events online, the ACMA deems it crucial to factor in the potential online audience when determining a game’s eligibility for this “limited viewership” exception. This measure aims to ensure equitable application of the exception, preventing its exploitation as a regulatory bypass.
Furthermore, the ACMA highlighted discrepancies in broadcast record-keeping practices among different broadcasters. While endorsing the principle of record maintenance, they underscored the necessity for uniform adherence to established protocols.
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