Amended restrictions aimed at protecting Australian children from gambling promotional content during live sport that is streamed online have been proposed by the Australian Communications and Media Authority.

The proposed restrictions require a ‘safe zone’ across traditional and new media platforms during times when children are more likely to be a part of the audience.

The revised draft rules, which are being developed by the ACMA, prohibit gambling advertising during live sport that is streamed online between 5.00 am and 8.30 pm and restrict gambling advertising at other times. Similar rules have been in place across broadcasting platforms since 30 March 2018.  

The revised draft rules take into account stakeholder comments received during a consultation on an earlier draft released in April 2018. Areas of proposed change include the following:

• enhanced flexibility for providers in notifying end-users of the scheduled start of a sporting event
• removal of a previously proposed class exemption for small online content service provider
• restriction of a proposed exemption for age-restricted services to providers that are Australian-licensed wagering operators
• a new exception from breach in certain circumstances that are beyond the control of a service provider
• an extended 30-day implementation period before the new rules come into force

Submissions on the revised draft rules will be accepted until 26 July 2018.

For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact: Emma Rossi, Media Manager, (02) 9334 7719, 0434 652 063 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Media release 21/2018 - 12 July