The broadcasting regulator has sanctioned the Nine Network for claiming criticisms of proposed poker machine laws by commentators during an NRL game were not scripted.

The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) launched its investigation after Phil Gould and Ray Warren criticised proposed mandatory pre-commitment laws for pokies during an NRL semi-final in September last year.

The authority has found no rules were broken because no money or favours were offered to Nine for its pro-pokies stance.

But ACMA chairman Chris Chapman says Nine did breach the code in responding to complaints by claiming the comments were purely the commentators' opinions, when in fact, the comments were scripted.

"A very serious breach of the code handling provisions and all-in-all it was not very well handled by the Nine Network," he said.

"I think in fairness to the commentators they agreed with the sentiments expressed by the Nine management, but the conclusion was that they had read them at the request of Nine management."

Nine has accepted findings by the broadcasting watchdog and ACMA says Nine has agreed to extra complaints handling oversight.