Australian media giant slams "draconian" ad restriction proposals
Seven West Media describes federal plans to impose further restrictions on sports betting advertising as "unnecessary"
Australian media business, Seven West Media, has slammed proposals to further restrict sports betting TV advertising at a federal level as “draconian and unnecessary”.
The Sydney-listed media giant has issued a statement arguing against measures put forward by senator Nick Xenophon and other anti-gambling campaigners to ban bookmakers from advertising during live sports broadcasts.
Xenophon, anti-gambling MP Andrew Wilkie and campaigner Tim Costello all propose to prevent sports operators from advertising in G-rated – suitable for everyone – time slots on TV.
“We already have extensive restrictions in place to ensure community standards are met,” Tim Worner, CEO and managing director of Seven West Media, said.
“I have children myself and I am not blind to the concerns. This is borne out by the fact that the incidence of complaints from our viewers on sports betting ads is actually low.”
Worner also claims his company has already banned betting and gambling ads during any programmes classified G, and that a new code for gambling advertising prevents advertising during any programme broadcast between 5am and 8.30pm.
“We feel this targeted approach will deliver a better outcome for all,” he said.
In related news, fellow Australian media company News Corp has announced the appointment of Simon Anderson to the newly created role of group director of wagering.
Anderson, who will report into News Corp CMO Damian Eales, was previously executive general manager at The Daily and Sunday Telegraph.
“Wagering advertising is growing across all platforms in our business,” Eales said.
“This newly created role will see Simon working across our print and digital publishing assets to further develop our wagering strategy; leveraging our considerable sports audience to build valuable propositions for wagering advertisers.”