Australia gambling reform receive support from major football codes: Sports Ministers

Australia's plan to crackdown on betting advertisements during sports events has been backed by two major football codes, Sports Minister Mark Arbib said on Saturday.

Under Labor federal government's gambling reform, the government on Friday announced to give television networks until June next year to rein in promotion of betting advertisement during sports broadcasts, or laws will be introduced to ban it.

Arbib said he had a very positive meeting with National Rugby League (NRL) boss David Gallop and his Australian Football League (AFL) counterpart Andrew Demetriou.

"I have to say we've had very good support from the sports so far," he told the Fairfax Radio Network on Saturday.

"They are very supportive of the move."

Arbib said gambling was always going to be part of sport but it was important to get the balance right.

"What we're seeing on television and on the scoreboards at the moment I think is over the top," he said.

"We've got to find a way to reduce it."

The Communications Minister, Stephen Conroy, earlier said the clampdown would reduce promotion of sporting gambling, and "targeting the vulnerable and the young as they are attending sporting events, as they are watching on television" .

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