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Chapter 5
Broadcasting Services Amendment (Advertising for Sports Betting) Bill 2013
Background
5.1
On 15 May 2013, the Broadcasting Services Amendment (Advertising for
Sports Betting) Bill 2013 was introduced into the Senate by Senator Richard Di Natale.[1]
Pursuant to the committee's resolution of appointment, the bill was referred to
the Joint Select Committee on Gambling Reform for inquiry and report.[2]
Given the overlapping subject matter, the committee decided to include the bill
as part of its consideration of the areas covered by its reference on the
advertising and promotion of gambling services in sport.
5.2
The committee notes that on 3 June 2013 this bill was introduced into
the House of Representatives in identical terms by Mr Adam Bandt MP.[3]
The committee has considered Mr Bandt's bill through its consideration of Senator
Di Natale's bill in this report.
The bill
5.3
The bill seeks to amend the Broadcasting Services Act 1992 to:
-
ban the broadcast advertising of live odds for sports betting;
- ban the advertising of sports betting services on television and
radio during children's viewing hours before 9pm; and
- ban the promotion of sports betting services by sporting
commentators and their guests during sports broadcasts.[4]
Committee view
5.4
The committee has considered the bill in the context of its reference
inquiry into the advertising and promotion of gambling services in sport. As
indicated in Chapter 3, the committee noted the work underway by the government
with commercial and subscription broadcasters to amend their existing industry codes
of practice to address the promotion of live odds. The committee welcomes the
government announcement on 26 May 2013 to ban the promotion of live odds
during the broadcast of live sports matches and to ban generic gambling
advertising during play. The effectiveness of these measures needs to be
evaluated before considering further action such as legislation.
Recommendation 9
5.5
The committee recommends that the Broadcasting Services Amendment
(Advertising for Sports Betting) Bill 2013 not be passed.
5.6
While signing this report as chair of the committee and supporting the
majority of the report and recommendations, there are some issues the Chair
does not agree with. These are outlined in dissenting comments which follow
this report.
Mr Andrew Wilkie MP
Chair
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