Live sports betting odds to be banned

[Nashy]

Live betting odds are set to be banned during sports after the industry's peak body, Free TV Australia, said it would draft a new code of practice.
In a move that would severely restrict the appearance of bookmakers like Tom Waterhouse, the new code also bans commentators and guests from promoting live betting odds during play and for 30 minutes before and after events.
It was designed to "reduce and control the promotion of live odds during the broadcast of live sporting events", FreeTV said in a statement this morning.
The proposed code was open for public comment until 20 May, after which it would be submitted to the Australian Communications and Media Authority.
Advertisement
"The proposed amendments to the code reflect an agreement reached between the Government and commercial radio, commercial television and subscription broadcasters to reduce and control the promotion of live odds during the broadcast of sporting events," FreeTV stated.
The new code will see advertisers such as SportsBet, BetFair and CentreBet banned from advertising live odds during games, or doing "live crosses" to bookmakers.
The federal government started negotiating these changes several years ago.
"The Gillard Government understands that the promotion of live odds during sports broadcasts can contribute to the encouragement of gambling, particularly amongst vulnerable people including children," Communications Minister Stephen Conroy said last June.
In fact, the government has been trying to get the new codes in since May 2011, when all state governments agreed to work towards a ban. Senator Conroy initially gave broadcasters a June 2012 deadline to improve self regulatory codes, but that now appears to have been relaxed.

http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/business/live-odds-face-ban-during-sports-play-20130422-2i959.html

I'm happy to see something been done about this. It's pathetic, and I don't understand why it has taken so long. These companies pray on problem gamblers with no self control.

 

[Alec]

I don't bet, but less Waterhouse is always good.

 

[Broncoman]

Very good move those live odds are soooooo annoying. What slimy bastards making money of people with mental problems.

 

[jarro65]

I'd be very happy if they got rid of all the betting ads.

It's getting ridiculous

 

[Mister Wright]

I don't care. I just fast forward through those bits or get up and grab a beer when they're on.

 

[Charmamba]

I don't care. I just fast forward through those bits or get up and grab a beer when they're on.

So you down a beer every 2/3minutes? Man you must be a tank!

 

[Son Edo]

Bets ruin the game. When I saw NZ paying $6.00, my heart sank.

 

[vertigo]

I don't care. I just fast forward through those bits

Marty McFly?

 

[Jeba]

http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/business/live-odds-face-ban-during-sports-play-20130422-2i959.html


I'm happy to see something been done about this. It's pathetic, and I don't understand why it has taken so long. These companies pray on problem gamblers with no self control.

I'm not a Tom Waterhouse fan and I don't care about live odds being banned but if the government thinks that live odds during sports telecasts is the root of problem gambling then they have showed once again they have NFI. Every study shows that a massive majority of problem gambling stems from poker machines and a very minute percentage comes from sports betting.


These companies aren't there trying to attract new gamblers. They are trying to bring customers over from competitors. So in TW's case - he wants customers from Sportsbet, Sportingbet, bookmaker.com.au etc to come and bet with him instead. Taking live odds off telecasts won't make one little bit of difference when they are available on demand via smart phones, internet, tablets etc.


Again - not saying that the banning is bullshit - just highlighting another example of why this Government has NFI when tackling the core of a problem.

 

[Charmamba]

The pokies may be the biggest issue, however the live betting during sporting events is a huge issue when so many kids watch it. TW, Sportsbet etc are advertising directly to kids from a young age by being allowed to advertise how they do as well.

 

[Jeba]

The pokies may be the biggest issue, however the live betting during sporting events is a huge issue when so many kids watch it. TW, Sportsbet etc are advertising directly to kids from a young age by being allowed to advertise how they do as well.

Understand what you are saying but that's no different to alcohol and fast food companies.

 

[vertigo]

Alcohol and fast food companies don't actively plug their product during the game.

 

[Coxy]

Understand what you are saying but that's no different to alcohol and fast food companies.

given obesity and alcohol issues, I'd have no problem with banning advertising of them either.

but commercial tv would have a fit. Those 2 are the biggest spenders.

 

[Jeba]

Alcohol and fast food companies don't actively plug their product during the game.

They do advertise though. Essentially its no different. Also have you seen a video ref decision lately?

 

[vertigo]

I don't have a problem with betting advertising, just don't shove some mugs face in front of a camera to plug it during the game or have commentators talking about it.

Imagine if some rep from VB or KFC talked about their menu during the game lol.

 

[Coxy]

that try from George rose was brought to you by kfc's fat arse dinner box...

 

[Jeba]

I don't have a problem with betting advertising, just don't shove some mugs face in front of a camera to plug it during the game or have commentators talking about it.

Imagine if some rep from VB or KFC talked about their menu during the game lol.

Agree. But thats what I am saying - if betting advertising is still there, taking live odds during telecast away won't solve a damn thing. See a TAB ad, check your iphone for the odds, takes 5 seconds.

 

[simmo77]

Again it comes down to channel nine and them selling their (and ours I guess) souls for the almighty dollar. Where does it end? No more Centrebet Stadium? No more Sportingbet on our jerseys? No VB Kangaroos or XXXX Maroons?