Sky News political editor Andrew Clennell revealed on Sunday Agenda that the plan, which would come into effect from 2025, would mean no sports pundits would be allowed to talk about betting odds during sports broadcasts.

“The government is considering, from 2025, a ban on gambling ads from one hour before sporting matches being telecast to one hour after they are telecast. This would mean no more pundits appearing during a game talking gambling odds,” Clennell said.

“Outside of that restricted time period, under this proposal, there would be a cap of two gambling ads an hour and a blackout during children’s programming.”

“The government also proposes a total ban on digital gambling advertising.”

The Albanese government has been working on a proposal to restrict gambling advertising for several months, with the issue being catapulted onto the national agenda in May 2023 when Opposition Leader Peter Dutton said that banning betting ads during sports broadcasts was the “right thing to do for families”.

However, Clennell said the government was taking its time because sporting codes, TV networks and bookmakers were pushing for restrictions on digital advertising rather than a total ban, as well as fewer restrictions on broadcast bans.

“They are also trying to negotiate less of a gambling broadcast ban – just for half an hour before a game until the end of the game, and for a cap of three ads per hour the rest of the time,” he said.

More to come.