Network Ten has been found in breach of broadcasting rules after airing gambling advertisements during the australian Formula 1 Grand Prix in March 2024.

An Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) investigation found four gambling ads were aired at prohibited times during a broadcast of the first practice round of the Grand Prix.

Under the Commercial TV Code of Practice (the Code), gambling promotions cannot be shown during broadcasts of sporting events between 5am and 8.30pm, including the five minutes before and after the event.

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Authority member Carolyn Lidgerwood said the rules around gambling advertisements on TV are there to protect the community from gambling related harms.

“Broadcasters should have strict controls in place to ensure compliance with the restrictions on gambling ads during sporting events,” Ms Lidgerwood said.

Practice rounds and qualifying rounds for motorsports are subject to the same restrictions on gambling advertising as the main event itself.

This is the first breach by Network 10 of the gambling advertising rules in the Code. During the investigation, Network 10 submitted that the broadcasts occurred due to human error.

Following the ACMA’s breach finding, Network 10 voluntarily improved the planning, checks and balances it has in place for ad scheduling and has, at the ACMA’s request, agreed to review its processes to introduce additional quality controls.

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Network 10 will also train staff to avoid similar issues in the future and will provide a written progress report to the ACMA.

In a separate investigation in 2024, the ACMA found that streaming service 10 Play, provided by Network 10, breached online gambling advertising rules 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,” Ms Lidgerwood said.

The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has requested the Australian internet service providers (ISPs) to block more illegal online gambling and affiliate-marketing websites, after investigations found these services to be operating in breach of the Interactive Gambling Act 2001.

The latest sites blocked include JokaRoom, AUDPokies888, Aura Play, Instant Casino, Leon, Rich Papa, UUSpin and Wild Pokies.

Website blocking is one of a range of enforcement options to protect Australians against illegal online gambling. Since the ACMA made its first blocking request in November 2019, 1154 illegal gambling and affiliate websites have been blocked.

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Around 220 illegal services have also pulled out of the Australian market since the ACMA started enforcing new illegal online gambling rules in 2017.

BetMakers Technology Group has announced extension of its agreement with leading Australian wagering operator Sportsbet for the provision of its pricing and data services across three-codes of racing.

Under this extended agreement, BetMakers will continue supplying Sportsbet with a comprehensive suite of pricing and data solutions to drive their global racing book. Leveraging BetMakers proprietary technology, global race day control services to support market management, racing event life-cycle and enhance trading strategies.

Nathan Arundell, Chief Commercial Officer, said: “Sportsbet and BetMakers are long-term partners and we are thrilled to extend our partnership further and continue to bring excitement to life to more than 2.2 million Australian customers.”

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Jake Henson, CEO of BetMakers, said: “We are delighted to extend our partnership with Sportsbet, Australia’s largest online wagering operator. This long-term extension highlights the strength of our relationship as well as the value our pricing and data services bring to the Sportsbet operation. We look forward to continuing to drive our offering forward with their support and collaboration.”