Ofcom plans changes to TV gambling regulation

by Paul McNally, Brand Republic 20-Feb-08, 11:55

LONDON - Broadcasting watchdog Ofcom has announced plans to reclassify TV gambling channels as teleshopping or advertising, in a move designed to protect viewers.

Ofcom has launched a four-week consultation on the proposal, which would bring the regulator's policy in line with the new Gambling Act and would affect about a dozen Sky Digital channels, including Sky Vegas, At the Races and Pokerzone.

Under the proposed changes, gambling channels would be counted as advertising and covered by Ofcom's broadcast advertising code, which protects consumers against misleading practices.

When the channels originally launched, the Independent Television Commission -- the legacy regulator -- had classified them as editorial.

An Ofcom spokeswoman said: "It makes a lot more sense, but it's not really going to have a big impact on the broadcasters themselves."

The TV gambling industry is big business. According to BSkyB's half-year results, published earlier this month, Sky Bet posted a 20% year-on-year revenue rise to £24m in the last six months of 2007.

Separately, Ofcom yesterday proposed new rules governing participation TV, which will require broadcasters to own a special licence. Under the plans, Ofcom would carry out random spot checks on channels to ensure compliance.

Ofcom is expected later this year to reach a decision on whether premium-rate quiz TV should be counted as editorial or advertising.