Paramount+ under fire for broadcasting offshore gambling ads
American streaming site Paramount+ is facing scrutiny for broadcasting advertisements for an offshore gambling company during a New Zealand A-league soccer match.
According to an exclusive report by The Guardian, during a soccer match between Wellington Phoenix and Brisbane Roar, viewers watching the Paramount+ broadcast were shown advertisements for gambling company 8XBet.
These promotions were digitally displayed on the boards around the pitch, putting Paramount+ at risk of legal action from national media regulators in New Zealand and Australia, which have banned all offshore gambling commercials.
The Australian Professional Leagues were the first to detect the breach in advertisement rules and temporarily removed the advertisement for the first half of the game.
A Paramount+ spokesperson disclosed to The Guardian that the advertisements were shown in error due to the use of an external advertising agency.
The spokesperson said, “Paramount+ inadvertently broadcast some inserted virtual advertisements during the Wellington Phoenix and Brisbane Roar match live from New Zealand on Thursday, February 6, due to the international feed being provided, rather than the Australian feed. This feed is provided by a third party and Paramount+ is working urgently with the supplier now to ensure this does not happen again.”
Online sports betting platform 8XBet has been in the headlines recently after folding operations in the UK. The sportsbook made a name for itself when it signed a partnership with Manchester City in 2022 but has been involved in several controversies, including being operated from Dubai, where gambling is illegal.
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