ACMA finds Foxtel breached broadcasting rules with gambling ad
The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has found that Foxtel has breached broadcasting rules by promoting a betting service during the live broadcast of an AFL match on Easter Monday afternoon.
Under the rules of the Subscription Broadcast Television Codes of Practice 2013, broadcasters must not air gambling advertising during or within five minutes of live sports broadcast between 5am and 8.30pm.
ACMA’s chair Nerida O’Loughlin said: “These rules are in place to reduce exposure to betting promotions. In particular, parents worry about their children seeing gambling ads, especially those associated with shared family activities like sport.
“Foxtel is well aware of the rules and it is disappointing that this betting promotion was allowed to go to air.”
A Foxtel Group spokesperson said of the finding: “Foxtel self-reported a single breach of the Subscription Broadcast Television Codes of Practice resulting from human error during a live half-time football broadcast. While the breach was inadvertent, Foxtel recognises this is not acceptable and has rolled our refresher training to all relevant staff and our presenters.”
Other breaches found by ACMA include Nine and Seven’s breach of the Commercial Television Industry Code of Practice 2015 in April 2021.
The role of the ACMA has recently been questioned by former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd during the media diversity inquiry hearings earlier this month.
