One of the major anti-gambling organisations on the territory of Australia – Alliance for Gambling Reform – has called for the country’s authorities to give National Rugby League teams and players the right to withdraw themselves from use in same-game multi-bets. The charity also warned that sports codes are actually making it easier for the rights of their players to be abused online.
So-called same-game multi-bets are a type of bets that make it possible for gamblers to merge several selections within a single game while seeking to get a large payout. They have become increasingly common in recent years, mainly due to the fact they are highly profitable for corporate bookmakers.
Sometimes, gamblers prefer to place their bet on a single player as an anytime try-scorer. However, at a time when that player fails to do so, some bettors tend to abuse the player on the Internet.
As explained by the Australian professional rugby league footballer Ryan Papenhuyzen, who plays for Melbourne Storm, it is not uncommon for NRL players to receive even death threats as a result of the abovementioned same-game multi-bets. The player explained that punters must take into account the fact that NRL players do not go out and play to make the score as low as possible or to lose their wagers.
NRL Players Often Become Subjected to Punters’ Aggression Online
Now, a representative of the leading anti-gambling charity shared that he may have a solution. Tony Mohr of the Alliance for Gambling Reform explained that, for the time being, players have very little control over who gets to place bets on them, and the worst part is that the codes make things easier. Mr Mohn shared that the Australian authorities need to make sure that such practices are ceased.
According to the representative of the Alliance for Gambling Reform, the federal government could start requiring operators that offer such multi-bets to get the consent of the person the bet is made on. He believes that such a step would make it easier for players to stop participating in such bets.
And while such a measure is not very likely to be imposed because the National Rugby League and the teams in it generate millions on an annual basis from their gambling sponsorship deals, Mr Mohr said that the authorities must take measures to stop the constant flow of abuse that players are facing online. According to him, multi-bets are preferred mostly by people, who are addicted to sports betting and go through a lot of financial stress because of these bets.
The Australian anti-gambling charity organisation calls for some measures regarding the multi-bets to be imposed, with Mr Mohr saying that the problem could be solved in case the authorities give players or teams the opportunity to say that they do not want their personal performance data to be used for making such bets.
Meanwhile, the National Rugby League remains reliant on gambling operators’ contributions. Some Australian Football League clubs have already started to move away from pokies’ money as a funding arm, but the majority of NRL clubs still remain reliant on gambling funds.
- Author
Daniel Williams
