The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) recently investigated Sportsbet’s offering of in-play betting on prestigious awards in the Australian Football League (AFL) and the National Rugby League.
Background:
The ACMA case revolved around Sportsbet’s provision of in-play betting options during the live broadcast of the Brownlow Medal Count, which recognizes the best and fairest player of the AFL season. ACMA highlighted the potential breaches of the Interactive Gambling Act (IGA) 2001, including subsections 15(2A), 61DA(1A), and 61DA(3), which address in-play betting services and advertising of designated interactive gambling services.
ACMA’s Definition of “Sporting Event”:
ACMA noted that the IGA lacks a specific definition of a “sporting event” in Section 10B. Therefore, the authority determined that the televised Brownlow Medal event itself could not be classified as a sporting event. Additionally, ACMA concluded that the outcome of the count was not a contingency happening in the course of the event. As a result, Sportsbet did not violate the rules by offering in-play betting on the Brownlow Medal.
Advertising Prohibitions:
ACMA further investigated Sportsbet’s authorization of betting markets during the Brownlow medal count and determined that the company did not contravene advertising prohibitions outlined in the IGA. Since the event was not deemed a sporting event, the advertising rules did not apply.
Similar Awards and In-Play Betting:
ACMA also examined Sportsbet’s in-play betting on the Norm Smith Medal (AFL) and the Clive Churchill Medal (National Rugby League). These awards are based on individual player performances during a match and are determined by officials or independent persons after the event. ACMA concluded that these awards, like the Brownlow Medal, did not qualify as sporting events or contingencies within a sporting event. Therefore, Sportsbet’s betting markets on the outcomes of these awards did not breach any betting rules.
In the ACMA case involving Sportsbet’s in-play betting on AFL awards, the absence of a clear definition of a “sporting event” in the IGA played a significant role. ACMA determined that the Brownlow Medal Count, Norm Smith Medal, and Clive Churchill Medal did not fall under the definition of sporting events or contingencies. Consequently, Sportsbet’s provision of in-play betting and authorization of betting market broadcasts during these events did not violate the relevant provisions of the IGA.