New Aussie sports book already in trouble with advertising authority

When new Australian online sportsbetting operator Neds launched its first “It’s Time to Bet” advertisements recently several observers predicted that it would just be a matter of time before it was censured for the tone of the material.

They pointed to adverts in the free-to-air television and social media material which show a man lying to his family in order to sneak off for a quick flutter, and one in which a gang of builders sit around making excuses not to work so they can bet online (see previous reports).

Barely a week later, the Advertising Standards Bureau stepped in after “numerous” complaints and has ordered the company to stop running the building gang material because in its view the content encourages excessive gambling.

The ban applies to free-to-air TV screening – the operator can continue to run the advertisements across social-media platforms, pay TV, and as corporate videos.

Acknowledging that the material, created by Ogilvie Australia, was intended to be humorous, the ASB nevertheless found that it “did not negate the portrayal of gambling taking priority in men’s lives”, and found it portrayed excessive participation in wagering activities.

Other complaints that the advertisements were discriminatory and disrespectful of women were not upheld.

Complaints about the ads have also been lodged with the Northern Territory regulator, which is yet to respond, according to local media reports.