Foxtel Breaks Rules with Live Sport Betting Promotion

Foxtel has breached broadcasting rules by airing a segment promoting a betting service during the live broadcast of an AFL match on Easter Monday afternoon.

An Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) investigation found the broadcast breached the rules in the Subscription Broadcast Television Codes of Practice.

ACMA Chair Nerida O’Loughlin said under the rules broadcasters must not air gambling advertising during or within five minutes of live sports broadcast between 5 am and 8.30 pm.

“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,” Ms. O’Loughlin said.

“Foxtel is well aware of the rules and it is disappointing that this betting promotion was allowed to go to air.”

Foxtel self-reported the breach to the ACMA following a complaint from a viewer. The breach of the rules occurred as a result of human error during the live broadcast.

Following the breach finding, Foxtel provided refresher training to staff about Foxtel’s obligations relating to betting advertising under the Code. Foxtel has also introduced new controls to ensure that gambling advertisements are not improperly broadcast during live sporting events in the future.