Live odds ban starts August 1
Advertising of live odds betting in South Australia will be banned from August 1.
The ban is in line with a draft code of practice proposed by industry body Free TV to the Australian Communications and Media Authority.
The draft code also formed part of a submission to the Independent Gambling Authority’s consultation on a ban first proposed by Premier Jay Weatherill in May.
Announcing the IGA’s decision today, the Premier acknowledged the cooperation of media and gambling interests.
“This now means that from August 1, South Australians will no longer be bombarded with live odds advertising on commercial television, pay TV, radio or at sporting grounds,” he said.
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“We know that these are practical and responsible changes and importantly, we know they can be implemented quickly.”
In May,Weatherill announced a 28-day consultation on accelerating a ban of live-odds betting on sporting matches in South Australia.
Shortly after, then Prime minister Julia Gillard proposed a national ban.
The changes will be listed in the Government Gazette next week, ahead of the August 1 ban.
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The IGA declined a request by Free TV that the live odds ban not apply to entertainment programs broadcast at the same time as a live sporting event.
This would have allowed a channel not broadcasting the sporting event to advertise live odds during the game.
Weatherill said betting agencies that breach the regulations face on the spot fines of $10,000, fines of $100,000 and withdrawal of the authorisation to operate in South Australia.
“We have received cooperation from the media and gambling industries on these changes and I expect their cooperation will continue during implementation,” Weatherill said.
“Ultimately, it will be all of us that will benefit from these significant changes.”
The Australian newspaper reported in late June that TV industry representatives met the Premier and Attorney-General John Rau to nut out changes to the television code of practice.
The changes make South Australia the only state or territory in which broadcasters will be banned by regulation from carrying ads for betting agencies from the start to the finish of a sporting telecast, including commercial breaks.
