The Australian Wagering Council (AWC) has addressed concerns over the advertising of sports betting by saying that advertising remains a significant legal right for Australian licensed wagering operators. It is, however, committed to working with the Federal Government in order to attend to community concerns over the advertising of sports betting.
The Council was acting on independent M.P Mr. Andrew Wilke and Senator Nick Xenophon’s calls for a national approach on advertising regulation.
Wilke and Xenophon have set out a number of demands for reform through Federal Government which includes the outlaw of sports betting advertisements during G-rated timeslots. Television networks could suffer from massive revenue hits if they are successful.
Standard Media Index revealed that the total spent on TV gambling advertising increased by 20% in the first six months of this year to $63 million. According to the figures the most money in advertising during that particular period was spent by Sportsbet, with a total of $41 million.
According to Ian Fletcher, Chief Executive of the Australian Wagering Council, advertising is not all bad and that in a globally competitive market it informs consumers of the identity of licensed Australian-based wagering service providers where they can participate in wagering in a well regulated environment, avoiding the significant dangers which exist from wagering with illegal offshore operators.
Fletcher went on to say that the position of AWC members on wagering advertising continues to evolve in response to community views. He added that AWC members have listened to the concerns raised by the community and have told the government they want to engage to get an acceptable advertising regulation in place.