Australia to ban pre-watershed gambling ads

Australian government has announced that it will look to ban all gambling related advertisements during live sports broadcasts taking place before the established industry watershed of 8:30pm.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull confirmed that the ban would apply to television, radio and the internet but horse racing will be exempt from the new restrictions.

Under proposed changes, existing sports networks who will likely suffer lost advertising revenue will be compensated for these losses through a reduction in the cost of TV licencing fees.

The move comes despite widespread condemnation from Australian sporting associations, many of whom have existing financial agreements with betting operators in Australia which are now in jeopardy due to the proposed changes.

Mr. Turnbull told Australian broadcaster ABC News that: "Parents around Australia will be delighted when they know that during football matches, and cricket matches, live sporting events before 8:30pm, there will be no more gambling ads.”