AFL fans express discontent with gambling advertising
Poll shows more than a third of Aussie rules supporters concerned with presence of gambling ads in sport
Sports fans in Australia have signalled their discomfort with the prominence of gambling advertising across one of the country’s most popular sports.
It was revealed that 37% of Australian Football League (AFL) fans had concerns with gambling advertising in the sport.
Additionally, 12% of AFL fans said gambling advertising was their top concern with the current state of AFL.
The poll, revealed by Australian media publication The Age, was undertaken by the AFL Fan Association to establish general concerns among fans, and included 860 respondents aged under-18 to 84 years old.
The AFL renewed its A$10m-a-year sponsorship deal with BetEasy (now absorbed by Sportsbet) in February 2020, with the new contract running until 2025.
At the time, the deal provoked ire from Australia’s Alliance for Gambling Reform (AFGR).
In a letter to the AFL, AFGR chief advocate Reverend Tim Costello said he was “utterly disappointed” and did not understand why the AFL would agree a sponsorship deal with a gambling firm.
“I simply cannot fathom why the AFL would stake its reputation on an industry designed to manipulate, addict and exploit people,” Costello said.
“Imagine if you accepted sponsorships from tobacco companies? The outcry would be heard from the MCG down to Kardinia Park,” Costello added.
Cheryl Critchley, AFL Fan Association president, said: “Many have told us that they don’t like them and are concerned that they are normalising gambling for children.
“Researchers are demonstrating this and the AFLFA supports the work of various state government initiatives and campaigns focused on countering the normalisation of gambling and sport,” she added.
The AFL said it had taken steps to reduce gambling advertising presence in the competition with venues having minimised Sportsbet promotions and odds banned from being displayed.
The AFL also pointed to the fact all Victoria-based clubs were involved with anti-gambling associations, including the Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation.