Some of the world’s leading sports broadcasting networks could abandon the Australian market and leaving local fans high and dry if a proposed ban on gambling advertising during live sporting events is implemented.
According to a report in The Australian newspaper, Communications Minister Mitch Fifield will put a proposal to cabinet this week to ban all gambling ads from start to finish. But there is concern that such a ban could spell the end for the likes of ESPN, Bein Sports and Eurosport – whose combined broadcasts in Australia include the NBA, NFL, MLB, UEFA Champions League and more.
“A ban that prevented gambling advertising between whistles would have bigger impact on these niche providers of sport than say a Fox Sports,” a source told The Australian.
“If prevented from raising gambling ad revenue, they could simply end up saying it’s just not worth it to do business in Australia.”
The proposed changes could also cost free-to-air networks as much as AU$150 million annually. The popular NRL and AFL competition generated AU$27.4 million in advertising revenue from gambling agencies in March alone – 14% more than 12 months earlier.
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