Seven Network Operations breaches online gambling advertising rules

A fine of $13,320 was paid by the Australian television network for the breaches.

The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has found that Seven Network Operations (Seven) breached online gambling advertising rules, after showing gambling advertising outside the specified times during live sports coverage on its streaming service.

The advertisement in question occurred on 12 December 2022, when it was found by the ACMA, that Seven had shown a gambling advertisement at 10:38am, via itsstreaming service, 7plus.

This occurred during a live stream of an NFL game, following on from a formal warning over a similar incident in October of that year.

The rules surrounding gambling promotions state that they cannot be shown during live streams of sporting events between 5am and 8.30pm, which includes the five minutes before and after a game.

Seven paid the maximum amount that the ACMA is able to apply when it comes to these breaches, which was a penalty of $13,320.

ACMA Chair Nerida O’Loughlin said: “The ACMA expects broadcasters to have robust systems and processes and associated assurance mechanisms in place to support compliance with these laws.”

Seven said the streaming of the advertisement was an isolated event and that it was taking extra measures to avoid something similar happening again.

O’Loughlin added: “Seven has told us that the measures it has in place are adequate to ensure future compliance and it does not need to do more. Following repeated breaches by Seven, we will continue to closely monitor their compliance with the rules to make sure that is the case.”