Regarding the latest move by the Australian Government which seeks to impose a ban on live-odds during TV sports, Communications Minister Stephen Conroy said that the industry cannot afford to lose the estimated A$40 million per annum of ad spending from betting companies.
According to Steve Allen, managing director of an advertising market analytics firm Fusion Strategy, the latest ban may reduce ad spend by as much as A$10 million.
On the other side, the arch-opponents of gambling in the Federal Parliament, Senator Nick Xenophon, Labour MP Stephen Jones and the Greens believe the Government has not gone far enough with the odds ban and that it should have banned gambling advertisements during children's television viewing time.
Jones stated that "I retain my concerns and I'll be perusing them with the Prime Minister today [Monday] and my caucus colleagues over the course of the week.”
Reportedly, the New South Wales' State Government is currently looking into gambling firm advertising on player jerseys, venue signage and stadium naming rights as well, in order to address "gaping holes" left by the Federal Government's initiative, as generic gambling advertisements would still be allowed during half and quarter-time breaks.
''I do not believe it is enough to only ban live odds spruiking during broadcasts, but allow generic advertisements for corporate bookies during breaks in those broadcasts. I am calling for a total ban,'' said Gaming Minister George Souris, describing online gambling as an "even greater scourge, as there is almost no oversight whatsoever leaving adolescents and children vulnerable".
Logically, opposing such a move is Panthers Group chief executive Warren Wilson as National Rugby League Club Penrith Panthers assigned stadium naming rights to Centrebet for $1.5 million in a deal that runs to the end of 2015.
He commented on this, saying: ''That's straight out of my pocket, the Panthers' pocket, the first day they bring that rule in. What are they giving me in compensation? Nothing. All they are doing is allowing offshore betting companies to bet on my product here and not get me a percentage.''
On the other hand, in a poll run by The Brisbane Times Monday on whether the Federal Government's restrictions on sports betting go far enough, 11 percent of a total 2268 respondents responded Yes, 84 percent said No and 5 percent were not sure.
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