SBS found to have breached gambling advertising rules during Tour de France broadcast – SBS has been found to have breached gambling advertising rules after broadcasting a Crown advertisement during its live coverage of the Tour de France in July 2025.
The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) concluded that SBS aired a gambling-related advertisement during a prohibited period under broadcasting regulations governing live sport.
Under the Commercial Television Industry Code of Practice, gambling advertisements may only be shown before play, after play or during scheduled and unscheduled breaks in live sporting events broadcast between 8.30pm and 5.00am. SBS is required to comply with equivalent requirements under its own Code of Practice.
The investigation centred on a Crown advertisement that promoted dining, entertainment and accommodation offerings at the venue. However, the ACMA found the advertisement’s use of the phrase “premier casino resort” drew attention to the gambling activities available at Crown, meaning it did not qualify for an exemption under the Code.
A specific exemption exists for advertisements relating to dining and entertainment facilities at venues where gambling occurs. The ACMA determined that the Crown commercial in question went beyond promoting those facilities by directly referencing the venue’s casino operations.
ACMA Authority Member Carolyn Lidgerwood said the regulator’s findings clarified how the exemption should be interpreted.
“The ‘dining or entertainment exception’ under the Code does not apply if any part of the advertisement draws attention to gambling in a manner calculated to directly promote such gambling activities.”
“Such advertisements will be subject to the rules around gambling ads shown during live sport.”
The ACMA also reviewed two other Crown advertisements that aired during the same Tour de France broadcast and found they did not breach the Code. Those advertisements focused on food, dining and entertainment offerings without using the “premier casino resort” tagline.
According to the ACMA, this was the first investigation to specifically examine the dining and entertainment exemption. The regulator said the decision serves as a reminder for broadcasters to carefully assess advertising content that may draw attention to gambling activities.
While SBS disagreed with the ACMA’s finding, the broadcaster said it takes compliance obligations seriously and remains committed to meeting regulatory requirements.
The ruling places broadcasters on notice that even limited references to gambling within broader hospitality advertising may be sufficient to trigger restrictions applying to gambling advertisements during live sport.
Media Release – ACMA
Link to ACMA HERE
TV Central ACMA content HERE
SBS found to have breached gambling advertising rules during Tour de France broadcast
