Network 10 has been found in breach of gambling advertising regulations during the 2024 Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix after ads aired at prohibited times.
The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) discovered the breach during the broadcast of the first practice round, highlighting the importance of compliance with the Commercial TV Code of Practice aimed at protecting viewers from gambling-related harms.
While this marks Network 10’s first official broadcast breach, the ACMA rarely enforces severe actions, typically issuing only undertakings that require “staff training” to address such issues.
From ACMA:
Network Ten (Sydney) Pty Limited has breached broadcasting gambling advertising rules during a broadcast of the Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix in March 2024.
An Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) investigation found four gambling ads were aired at prohibited times during a broadcast of the first practice round of the Grand Prix.
Under the Commercial TV Code of Practice (the Code), gambling promotions cannot be shown during broadcasts of sporting events between 5am and 8.30pm, including the five minutes before and after the event.
Authority member Carolyn Lidgerwood said the rules around gambling advertisements on TV are there to protect the community from gambling related harms.
“Broadcasters should have strict controls in place to ensure compliance with the restrictions on gambling ads during sporting events,” Ms Lidgerwood said.
Practice rounds and qualifying rounds for motorsports are subject to the same restrictions on gambling advertising as the main event itself.
This is the first breach by Network 10 of the gambling advertising rules in the Code. During the investigation, Network 10 submitted that the broadcasts occurred due to human error.
Following the ACMA’s breach finding, Network 10 voluntarily improved the planning, checks and balances it has in place for ad scheduling and has, at the ACMA’s request, agreed to review its processes to introduce additional quality controls.
Network 10 will also train staff to avoid similar issues in the future and will provide a written progress report to the ACMA.
In a separate investigation in 2024, the ACMA found that streaming service 10 Play, provided by Network 10, breached online gambling advertising rules during two live-streamed sports events.
“The ACMA will closely monitor these actions and Network Ten’s compliance with the broadcasting and online gambling advertising rules,” Ms Lidgerwood said.
An sport net doesn’t 🤣