Parliament warns on control of betting ads

 
A parliamentary inquiry into sports betting advertising ended with a call for legislation if the industry fails to better regulate itself. Some steam was taken out of the inquiry when Prime Minister Julia Gillard last month demanded that broadcasters ban promotion of live odds and restrict gambling ads during sports matches, which their industry body then agreed to do. The parliamentary report also called for a review of the level of on-site betting marketing, including uniform sponsorships and stadium ads, "to determine whether the amount is appropriate in what is marketed as a family friendly environment". A related recommendation urges a review of sports merchandise with gambling logos that is marketed to children.