Australian Broadcasters to Cut Back on Sharing Sport Odds

Under new regulations that will go into effect next June, Australian broadcasters will be unable to have their commentators give live updates on betting odds during broadcasts of sporting events. In addition, odds will also no longer be published on video screens at sporting venues, or announced by in-stadium announcers.

“It's not the sort of culture we want people growing up with,” said Communications Minister Stephen Conroy, according to a report in the Herald Sun. “You won't need to have Richie Benaud telling you and urging you that here's the odds on who's going to get out next or who's going to bowl the next no ball and telling you to get online and start betting.”

Many sport institutions in Australia will be taking part in the effort. In the Melbourne Cricket Ground, ownership is attempting to buy back veto rights on what appears on scoreboards there, so that they can help prevent betting odds from being displayed during cricket and football matches.

The moves, which are supported by both the federal and state governments, will apply to all sports with the exception of horse racing, in which betting odds are an integral part of the event. The idea behind the move is to help stem the tide of gambling information that is introduced to children and general audiences.

Commentator Brian Taylor told the Herald Sun that gambling on sports was “out of control,” and that he was firmly behind the new regulations.

"My kids know the odds on games better than I do and they know it because they're getting continually updated on where odds are at," he said.

The full extent of the ban on gambling odds has not yet been determined. For instance, Senator Conroy has said that discussions are still underway to decide whether announcing odds before a game or at halftime would be allowed under the new rules.

Problem gambling has been a hot topic in Australia. Controversial legislation that would create mandatory pre-commitment schemes for poker machines throughout the country has taken a high profile in Australian politics, as MP Andrew Wilkie has made the passage of such legislation a requirement for his continued support of the Gillard government.