New South Wales (NSW) regulators have moved to ban the advertising of live odds on sports television and radio broadcasts.
The broadcasts restrictions were announced by NSW Deputy Premier Troy Grant last Friday, and are set to be implemented by March 2016.
NSW restrictions will apply to sports broadcasts which are less than four hours long in duration, the restrictions will therefore not affect cricket or golf tournament coverage.
Grant who spearheaded the initiative stated that NSW advertising restrictions would help protect those at risk of problem gambling and curb the proliferation of betting advertising targeting Australian sports viewers.
“There is no doubt the sports betting market is becoming increasingly competitive as operators aggressively chase market share through promotions, so it’s important that regulation moves with the industry,” Grant stated
Australian media owners operating broadcast channels in NSW, have been asked to adjust their upcoming advertising inventory in-line with the forthcoming restrictions.
The increased advertising of gambling products has come under greater scrutiny by Australian political, media and industry stakeholders.
Last month Paula Dwyer Chairwoman of Tabcorp stated that the gambling operator was supportive of further advertising restrictions.
“It’s the scale of advertising: I think there are legitimate community concerns around this,” Ms Dwyer told Tabcorp’s annual general meeting.