Gambling advertising investment has grown by 26% to $140 million in the year to July in spite of tougher restrictions introduced this year around when betting shops can run TV and online betting ads.

Standard Media Index figures shared exclusively with AdNews found huge surges in year-on-year gambling ad spend across all of the major channels in the year to July. This was led by a 121% growth in newspapers, 84% growth in cinema, and 60% growth in outdoor.

In July, gambling advertising revenue grew 30% year-on-year with lifts across TV, digital, outdoor and radio.

“Gambling ad spend has no doubt been buoyed by the number of major sporting events in the first half of the year, and also increased competition within the sector,” SMI ANZ managing director Jane Ratcliffe told AdNews.

Recently, the Australian government has tightened regulation around when gambling ads can be shown on TV and online.

New rules prevent gambling ads from being shown during live sport between the hours of 5am and 8.30pm to protect children. Similar restrictions also apply to online betting ads.