0
CANBERRA: Betting agencies and television networks have been given 12 months by the Australian government to stop broadcasting updated betting odds during live broadcasts of sporting events, or risk having legislation brought in to ban it.
The Council of Australian Governments met Friday and issued a statement through its Select Council of Gambling Reform committee that it was concerned that promotion of gambling, “including commentary by sporting role models, is becoming insidious in live sports coverage.”
During cricket broadcasts, for example, commentators which include former Australian captains break away from ball-by-ball coverage to give up-to-date odds from a gambling agency to reflect the current state of the match.
“We are concerned that this can significantly influence vulnerable and young people and normalize gambling behaviour,” the statement said.
If the gambling industry and television networks do not voluntarily halt such promotion by the end of June next year, legislation to ban it will be introduced to parliament. The proposed restrictions will apply to all sports with the exception of horse racing.
The Australian government also announced a review of existing online gambling laws.
Senator Stephen Conroy, the government minister for broadband, communications and the digital economy, said there would be no new contracts allowed for in-game betting, including odds on scoreboards at sporting events.
“All the ministers have agreed that we should put forward proposals, ultimately possibly legislation, to reduce and control the promotion of in-game betting,” Conroy said.
“You won't need to have Richie Benaud telling you and urging you, 'here's the odds on who's going to get out next, or who's going to bowl the next no-ball' _ that kind of advertising that's being pushed into people's faces.”
Existing contracts with television stations and match venues will be allowed to continue. As well as concern over the promotion of gambling, there was also the danger of corruption brought about by live betting.
The dangers of such 'exotic' betting was illustrated by the laying of criminal charges against former rugby league player John Elias, former Bulldogs forward Ryan Tandy and player manager Sam Ayoubhave for illegal betting activity surrounding an NRL match in August last year.
They were alleged to have placed bets on the first points scored in a game between the Bulldogs and North Queensland Cowboys being from a penalty goal rather than a try, with the player able to give away a penalty to encourage a shot for goal against his team.
And recent activity on Australian Football League first goalkicker betting is also being investigated. Three regular defenders who were moved forward into attack in matches this month have been the subjects of unsuccessful bets, raising suspicions that team injury lists may have been leaked before officially announced.
In March, the International Olympic Committee warned that sport is “in danger” from illegal betting and match-fixing and is would create a task force to coordinate the fight against the multibillion-dollar underground industry.
Stressing the need to act with urgency, IOC President Jacques Rogge announced the initiative after hosting a summit of sports leaders, politicians, licensed betting operators and international police agency Interpol in Lausanne, Switzerland.
