Offshore gambling firms subject EPL or English Premier League’s Australia-based fans to a lot of betting ads that would be prohibited from display on Australian screens.
The complaint made against the broadcaster to a media watchdog is based on this.
ACMA or The Australian Communications and Media Authority is probing a complaint against Optus by Jack Kerr. He is a journalist and gambling researcher. Kerr is alleging gambling ads featured in every single minute of play during a Premier League soccer game when Aston Villa hosted Manchester City way back December of last year.
Additionally, Optus Sports has held the rights to EPL games in Australia since 2016. This is with the company recently securing an extension to the deal. They paid around $600 million to retain the rights through the end of the 2027-28 season.
The broadcaster is enjoying over one million customers in Australia for its streaming service. Kerr detailed in his complaint that pitch-side billboards frequently show ads for interactive gambling companies, and clubs typically display ads for multiple betting companies throughout a match.
Premier League clubs control and manage a mix of collective league sponsors and specific club agreements. The pitch-side advertising boards controls this. Furthermore, companies can tailor it to suit various markets.
The Interactive Gambling Act does not allow offshore gambling companies to offer bets to people based in Australia. Moreover, it also further prohibits the promotion of their services. More importantly, the publication offers the exemption if an advert accompanies the publication of other matter accidentally or incidentally.
The latter points to the crux of the position adopted by Optus with its spokesperson. He stressed out that the company complies with the relevant laws in Australia in its coverage of all rights and content. Gambling advertising laws in Australia contain exemptions for pitch-side advertising.
