Give gambling firms the boot: Xenophon – NEWS.com.au

Australia's football codes should follow the lead of the English Football Association and sever ties to gambling companies, says Nick Xenophon.

The FA has ended its sponsorship deals with betting company Ladbrokes and confirmed it will cease all commercial arrangements with gambling firms.

Senator Xenophon said he believed all Australian football codes should follow the FA's lead.

"The UK has recognised the potential of gambling to undermine and compromise sport and the harm it can do to fans," Senator Xenophon told AAP on Friday.

"Some of the biggest gambling addicts in the country are the AFL and NRL because of their deals with gambling companies."

He said if the codes did not act voluntarily he would seek to legislate the ban.

A "weaning off" period of three to five years would be appropriate, the South Australian senator said.

In April, former Manchester City and Burnley midfielder Joey Barton was banned for 18 months after he was found to have made more than 1200 bets on football matches.

Barton, who said he had a gambling addiction, had pointed out the heavy involvement of the gambling industry in British football where bookmakers act as sponsors at several levels.

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Give gambling firms the boot: Xenophon - NEWS.com.au