Australia bans gambling ads during online live sports broadcasts

Gambling advertisements are to no longer be allowed for live sports streamed online from between 5 a.m. and 8:30 p.m. in Australia.

The Australian Communications and Media Authority released its new rules for online content service providers last August 23, expanding on the previous prohibition on gambling promotions during televised and radio broadcasts of live sports.

ACMA Chair Nerida O’Loughlin said, “This brings online services in line with television and radio broadcasting services. It creates a safe zone for children and families to watch live sport across a variety of platforms.”

From the times of 8:30 p.m. until 5 a.m., promotions are limited to a certain number of times, depending on the sports. For golf and cricket, for example, promotions are permitted only once each day, while for Olympic and Commonwealth games, promotions are allowed once every three hours. Rugby games can have four promotions, in between matches.