Free-to-air television networks and metro radio stations are fighting to protect the $238.6 million in gambling advertising revenue the ACMA recently calculated they rake in each calendar year.

A parliamentary inquiry of the country’s gambling advertising laws more than a year ago proposed a total ban on gambling advertising and sponsorship.

At the time, Anthony Albanese told ABC Radio the Labor Government would “give consideration to the recommendations,” but 14 months have since passed without action.

“I’ve said before that the idea you’re watching a footy game and, on comes an ad for gambling, I find pretty reprehensible,” Albanese said at the time.

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Last week, according to the AFR, representations from the three free-to-air networks, peak bodies Responsible Wagering Australia and Free TV, the AFL and NRL, and wagering companies Sportsbet, Tabcorp, and Entain, met with Communications Minister Michelle Rowland’s office, and have until the end of this week to voice their concerns over gambling advertising reforms.

Rowland is reportedly proposing a softened version of the recommendations that would ban gambling advertising an hour before and after live sport, cap free-to-TV advertising to two hours an hour until 10pm, and ban all social media and digital advertising.

In turn, it is believed that the free-to-air networks will push back on the $46 million the sector pays in spectrum fees each year, as a way of making up the advertising drop.

Such restrictions also threaten the high prices currently paid for sporting broadcasting rights, which are bought with the understanding that the costs can be offset with lucrative gambling advertising dollars.

“The government continues to engage with stakeholders regarding the recommendations from the online wagering inquiry as we formulate our response,” a spokesperson from Rowland’s office said.