IN A FURTHER tightening of the AFL's integrity and anti-corruption protocols, restrictions have been introduced for accredited journalists and broadcasters who bet on games.
 
Commencing from Thursday's opening game of the NAB Challenge, bans have been introduced on accredited media betting on a game they are attending for work purposes.
 
"The ban has been introduced to help protect against the potential misuse of information gained by personnel working at a match," the AFL said in a statement.
 
There will be a five-hour blackout period for accredited media once they enter the ground, starting from two hours before the game to the final siren.
 
There are regular instances where media members have been privy to sensitive team information once entering a venue, before the 90-minute cut-off period where clubs have to hand their final team sheets (which include late changes and starting interchange players) to the AFL.
 
Working media can still bet on the games they are covering, as long as it takes place outside the five-hour blackout period, either during the week or on match days before they enter the venues.
 
The AFL accredits almost 2000 media members each year, which includes broadcasters, journalists and photographers, as well as production, technical and camera staff.
 
AFL and club personnel, including AFL Media, have long been restricted from all types of football betting.