Australia’s Network 10 breaches gambling ads rule during F1 broadcast
Network Ten (Sydney) Pty Limited has breached Australia’s broadcasting gambling advertising rules by airing gambling promotions during its coverage of the Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix in March 2024.
An investigation by the determined that four gambling advertisements were broadcast at prohibited times during the first practice session of the .
Under the , gambling ads must not be shown during live sporting events between 5 am and 8.30 pm, including five minutes before and after the event. The restrictions apply equally to practice and qualifying rounds, not just the main event.
Need for strict controls
ACMA Authority member Carolyn Lidgerwood highlighted the importance of these regulations in protecting the public from gambling-related harm.
“Broadcasters should have strict controls in place to ensure compliance with the restrictions on gambling ads during sporting events,” Lidgerwood stated.
This is the first instance of . The network attributed the error to human oversight and has since taken corrective measures to prevent a recurrence.
Network Ten’s response and compliance measures
Following ACMA’s findings, Network Ten has strengthened its ad scheduling processes, introduced additional quality control measures, and agreed to an internal review at ACMA’s request. Staff will undergo further training, and the broadcaster will submit a written progress report to ACMA outlining its corrective actions.
A Ten spokesperson acknowledged the breach and outlined the network’s commitment to compliance.
“We assisted the Australian Communications and Media Authority’s (ACMA) to understand how the advertising breach in our television broadcast occurred. It was inadvertent and due to human error. We take our advertising obligations seriously and have improved our systems, processes, practices and staff training in relation to this error. We are committed to a programme of continuous review and enhancement to ensure ongoing compliance for advertising rules.”
A previous breach involving Network 10
ACMA’s scrutiny of Network Ten extends beyond its television broadcasts. In a separate 2024 investigation, ACMA found that 10 바카라, the network’s streaming service, violated online gambling advertising rules by showing ads during two live-streamed sports events.
“The ACMA will closely monitor these actions and Network Ten’s compliance with the broadcasting and online gambling advertising rules,” Lidgerwood said.
ACMA continues to enforce gambling advertising regulations across Australia, having also directed internet service providers to block over 1,150 illegal gambling and affiliate sites since November 2019.
