Greens bill to ban odds on sport shows Greens Senator Richard Di Natale. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen Sports betting odds could be banned from sports-related programs, such as The Footy Show, under new laws to be introduced to Federal Parliament. With growing community anger about the growth of betting advertising in sport, the Greens have drafted laws to place a blanket ban on odds being promoted by commentators or bookmakers during sports broadcasts on TV or radio. The new laws, to be introduced by Senator Richard Di Natale, would also outlaw sports-related programs spruiking odds during their shows. Bookmakers would still be able to buy advertising during the program as long as it does not spruik odds. Senator Di Natale has successfully set up a Senate inquiry into gambling advertising in sport and said sporting codes had made it clear they did not want their personalities associated with odds. He said the public was tired of the intrusion of gambling into sports such as football both at the grounds and during broadcasts. We have to separate sport from gambling. Young kids should be able to enjoy a game of footy without thinking that gambling has to be part of that experience," he said. Concern about betting advertising is not confined to the Greens. Broadcasters have been working on a code of conduct for sports broadcasts. "Privately a number of MPs have expressed their concerns over this issue, I just hope they have the courage to take on the gambling industry in an election year," Senator Di Natale said. Labor backbencher Stephen Jones wants all betting ads banned during the game - ideally he would like sports to act voluntarily. He has circulated a petition pushing for the ban and says he will be pursuing action when Parliament resumes next month. "I would prefer for the codes to act but in the absence of that we should legislate," Mr Jones said. Coalition backbencher Alan Tudge said people were fed up with gambling ads at the footy and on TV. We need to reduce the visibility of gambling so we don't normalise it for our kids. It is now impossible to go to the footy without having gambling shoved down your throat. There should be no ads and no odds during the game," Mr Tudge said. How can the AFL promote itself as family friendly when it is impossible to escape gambling promotion. The Coalition's paper on problem gambling, released in 2011, said it was concerned about the growing amount of advertising, suggesting odds be banned during play.