Australia has officially banned betting advertisements during sports broadcasts and on athletes' uniforms starting January 1, 2027. This decision was made by the Australian Parliament on August 19, as part of a package of amendments to the Interactive Gambling Act 2001.
The new regulations tighten the rules for advertising licensed betting operators, introduce payment blocking for offshore operators, and prohibit commissions for affiliates who attract players. Here are the key points highlighted by iGN:
Betting Advertising Restrictions
From 5:00 AM to 8:30 PM, advertising during live sports events on TV, radio, and online platforms—including streaming services, social media, and broadcasting websites—is prohibited. This ban also applies 15 minutes before and 5 minutes after the event. Outside these hours, the ban is only effective during the broadcast.
Online platforms must hide advertisements from minors and users without registered accounts, and they must allow users to opt out of such ads in their settings.
Additionally, advertising on athletes' uniforms and official venues is banned. Operators are also prohibited from using current and former athletes, celebrities, and influencers for promotion.
The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) will launch a national advertising opt-out register. Online platforms will not be able to show ads from betting operators to users listed in this register and must check it at least every 14 days.
Bonuses and Commissions
Operators are prohibited from offering bonuses through mailings, calls, and targeted social media ads to users who have opted out (for at least 90 days after opting out, until they consent again), to account holders who opened their accounts less than 14 days ago, and to players showing signs of gambling addiction.
There is also a ban on commissions for operator staff and affiliates for attracting, retaining, and reactivating players, including RevShare, if the reward is tied to registrations, deposits, bets, or lifting limits.
Illegal Segment
Banks and payment services are required to block transfers to offshore operators, including cryptocurrency transactions. The ACMA will have the authority to demand the removal of illegal advertisements, links from search results, and apps from stores within 24 hours.
Penalties
Penalties for non-compliance include up to $1.94 million for willfully circumventing the law, up to $1.29 million for promoting illegal operators on social media, and up to $258,000 for most advertising violations.
The enforcement of these laws will be overseen by the ACMA. The timelines for implementing bonus restrictions and the advertising opt-out register will be set by separate acts. In three years, the minister is required to initiate a review of advertising and bonus regulations with public consultations and a report to Parliament.