TV networks to demand fee relief as $40m wagering hole opens up

Australia’s two biggest television networks will demand spectrum fees be slashed to offset a $40 million black hole from wagering firms pre-emptively cutting advertising ahead of a government crackdown on betting ads.

Communications Minister Michelle Rowland has proposed extending a ban on gambling advertising to an hour before and after live sport, introducing a cap of two ads per hour on free-to-air TV until 10pm, and a blanket ban on ads on social networks and other digital platforms.