Network 10 has breached gambling ad rules by during a broadcast of the Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix last March.

Under the Commercial TV Code of Practice, gambling promotions cannot be shown during broadcasts of sporting events between 5am and 8.30pm, including the five minutes before and after the event.

Media watchdog the Australian Communications and Media Authority found four gambling ads were aired at prohibited times during a broadcast of the first practice round of the Grand Prix. Practice rounds and qualifying rounds for motorsports are subject to the same restrictions on gambling advertising as the main event itself.

ACMA authority member Carolyn Lidgerwood said, “Broadcasters should have strict controls in place to ensure compliance with the restrictions on gambling ads during sporting events.”

Network 10 claimed the broadcasts occurred ‘regrettably, due to human error.’

Following the ACMA’s breach finding, Network 10 voluntarily improved the planning, checks and balances it has in place for ad scheduling and has, at the ACMA’s request, agreed to review its processes to introduce additional quality controls.

Network 10 will also train staff to avoid similar issues in the future and will provide a written progress report to the ACMA.

This is the first breach by Network 10 of the gambling advertising rules, however in 2024 10 Play also breached online gambling advertising rules 133 times during two live-streamed sports events. At the time 10 advised the breach was due to an error in a manual coding process confirming it had upgraded its processes to provide more automation around the scheduling of gambling ads.

“The ACMA will closely monitor these actions and Network 10’s compliance with the broadcasting and online gambling advertising rules,” Ms Lidgerwood said.