A deal signed between the gambling giant, Betfair and the Australian Cricket Association is causing waves, after an ad featuring online gambling promotions was allowed to air during the traditional Boxing Day Test played between Australia and South Africa.

The Senator for South Australia, Nick Xenophone said that running an ad that featured cricket legends promoting online gambling was not appropriate.  “You've got families and kids here,” he said. “Of course gambling is part of life but I think when it's a family cultural event like the Boxing Day Test, the advertising is inappropriate.”

“Online gambling such as Betfair has the potential to deliver the next wave of problem gamblers,” he said. “There's very little regulation in relation to advertising. Gambling advertising ought to carry with it warnings, and we ought to be looking at restrictions similar to those that apply to cigarettes and alcohol.”