Following the news about the European Premier League (EPL) clubs agreeing on the ban on shirt-front betting sponsorships, the gambling industry in Australia is divided over the ban on match-day jersey sponsorships.
While some clubs are all on board with the complete ban on jersey betting sponsorships, they will not take any steps to implement that ban until it is enforced by law. Meanwhile, some gambling companies have already ceased all sponsorships with sporting clubs, using community concern as the reason for their decision. Even though there is support for such a major change in the sponsorship deals with Australian sporting teams, some gambling enterprises are against the ban, claiming the entire gambling industry is suffering due to rival ads constantly being shown on Australian television.
The recent EPL decision to have all clubs voluntarily give up betting sponsorships on shirt fronts is currently being reviewed by the Australian government, huge betting companies, and the National Rugby League (NRL).
Change in the way gambling is promoted in Australia is inevitable, which is why gambling companies are considering different proposals, said Kai Cantwell, the new chief executive of Responsible Wagering Australia (RWA). The organisation represents major betting companies like bet365, PointsBet, Sportsbet, and others. Meanwhile, betting enterprises, which are not represented by the RWA also ensured they would agree on a sponsorship ban.
Companies Against Match-Day Jersey Sponsorship Ban Claim Gambling Industry Was Criticised Unfairly
Even though a potential ban on jersey sponsorship was supported by some brands in the Australian gambling industry, some companies did not agree with such drastic changes.
Mitch Reid, who is in charge of regulation and compliance at Palmerbet, the betting sponsor seen on the Newcastle Knights jerseys, said the gambling field was on the receiving end of unfair criticism, considering the fact the said industry was a major revenue source for sporting clubs.
Reid added that the gambling industry was receiving unjust treatment compared to businesses promoting alcohol or fast food, which can also be considered as advertising products that can cause potential harm. Palmerbet’s representative also added the amount of revenue the gambling industry has generated for the Australian Commonwealth and state government should not be overlooked. According to Reid, the gambling industry was a key factor in funding Australian infrastructure, grants, and other enterprises.
One of the supporters of a potential match-day jersey sponsorship ban is Tabcorp, which, however, is willing to accept the ban only if it is officially enforced for all gambling companies. The entity has already shown support for stricter regulation on gambling ads, voluntarily restricting its television ads, despite the lack of official limitations imposed by the government.
Another gambling company, which has shown support for stricter sponsorship regulations in Australia is Entain, which announced last year that it would stop its jersey sponsorship deals with Australian sporting teams. Entain operates betting brands like Ladbrokes and Neds, which were previously seen on the Brisbane Broncos and Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs jerseys.
Peter V’landys, Australian Rugby League Commission chair, said he was aware of the EPL clubs’ agreement but would not make any decision before the final report of the parliamentary inquiry into online gambling harm is out. Meanwhile, Labor MP Peta Murphy, the committee’s chair, shared that the final report would take into consideration what other jurisdictions have previously done and are currently doing to minimise gambling harm.
- Author
Olivia Cole
