The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has concluded that the Special Broadcasting Service (SBS) violated advertising regulations by airing a gambling-related advertisement during an inappropriate time. The breach occurred during a live broadcast of the Tour de France in July 2025. According to the ACMA, an investigation revealed that SBS broadcasted a Crown casino advertisement outside the allowable timeframe stipulated by the Commercial Television Industry Code of Practice. This code mandates that gambling commercials during live sports events can only be shown before or after the event, or during breaks, and must fall between 8:30 PM and 5 AM. The specific advertisement that breached the code featured the tagline “premier casino resort,” which overtly promoted the gambling activities at Crown. This was in contrast to two other Crown advertisements aired during the same event, which complied with the regulations by focusing on dining and entertainment and did not mention the casino aspect. Carolyn Lidgerwood, a member of the ACMA, emphasized the significance of the breach, noting that the ‘dining or entertainment’ exception does not cover advertisements that directly promote gambling. This ruling marks the first time ACMA has had to interpret this particular exception in an investigation. Following this breach, the ACMA has warned broadcasters to be more cautious with their advertising content regarding gambling. Despite disagreeing with ACMA’s findings, SBS has expressed its commitment to adhering to regulatory standards and maintaining compliance with all relevant advertising codes. Post navigation Vandals Target Anzac Memorial Capalaba Crime Spree Arrest