When I went to my first football match as a six-year-old, the dominant sensory experiences were the vivid but sponsor-free blue and red strips of the players, the intoxicating aroma of tobacco and the animated noise of an adult crowd, chorusing the na-na-na, na refrain of Hey Jude.
Aside from the fading paint of a few hoardings, commercial messaging was absent. Looking at that games programme, which along with the crackling tannoy provided the media dimension to the match-day experience, there were ads for a dry cleaners, a paint shop and the local funfair.
i's opinion newsletter: talking points from today
Gambling was limited to a Willy Wonka-like Golden Goal contest, which shared 130 prize money among tickets that showed times coinciding with the ball going in the net. Then there was the vague hope of riches from a pools coupon ritually filled out earlier that week with a series of Xs.
The modern young fan experiences the sport differently. Watching games on Sky, he/she sees Jeff Stelling endorsing Sky Bet, or is urged Bet in play now! On the BBC theres no escape from shirts embossed with logos for Betway, BetVictor, LoveBet or ManBetX a study by Goldsmiths University last season found that betting logos, either on shirts or billboard ads, were on screen for between 71-89 per cent of the time on Match of the Day.
When I was a kid, betting was associated with horses. Today, football is easily the gambling industrys most lucrative sport. Football gambling has grown with the global popularity of the English game, and the evolution of the sports media serving it.
Younger fans are brimming with tactical insight gleaned from data-rich modern sports coverage. Theyve built encyclopaedic knowledge of players from video games such as FIFA and Football Manager. Betting companies know this and feed them increasingly complex products.
We are at a point where many younger fans see a punt as essential to enjoyment of a game. Take James Grimes, who was 16 when he raked in 90 from a 5 stake for an accumulator. I remember going to collect the cash and having the feeling Im good at this! Grimes did have an exceptional ability to read the game by 17 he was a coach at Sheffield Uniteds academy. But by then he was gambling online and on his way to debts of 100,000, which wrecked his career.
He blames the ads: When someone is telling you the game matters more if theres money on it, that sticks in your head.
Grimes, 30, runs the Big Step campaign for Gambling With Lives, a charity created by bereaved families of gambling addicts. Had he been born earlier things might have been different. Traditional forms of gambling like the pools didnt have the same addiction. I wasnt born an addict but there was 24-7 betting sold to me through my favourite sport. There are hundreds of thousands with a similar story.
A Government review of betting in sport will finish in March. Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden says the gambling sector has evolved at breakneck speed and sports minister Nigel Huddleston says we need to pull our legal framework into the digital age. A House of Lords committee recommended in July that betting ads be banned in or near sports venues, including sports programmes.
A study of football shirt sponsorships last week found that the Premier League has a stronger relationship with gambling than any of the worlds top leagues; betting brand shirt sponsorship went from zero to 50 per cent of teams between 2000 and 2020. In Germanys Bundesliga, its almost non-existent. Simon Chadwick, professor at Emlyon business school in France, anticipates a ban in the European Union but not in Britain. Some fans see it as integral to the match day experience and gambling is a significant source of revenue for the exchequer. You might see some public health messaging around it but I dont envisage a ban.
Clubs will claim that they cant withstand the financial losses. But the same was said of tobacco sponsorship, a sinister presence in my youth when it was omnipresent in Formula 1, snooker and cricket. Plenty of global brands want their names on Premier League shirts.
For a game that markets itself as a societal force for good, endorsing causes such as the anti-racist Kick It Out campaign and the Heads Together mental health charity, its extraordinary that football should be in hoc to betting companies.
Sports teams, star players and even broadcasters have been following brand purpose strategies which signal their commitment to important social causes, says Richard Gillis, founder of the sports business podcast Unofficial Partner. But does it undermine their credibility if they do this while simultaneously promoting gambling and taking money from betting companies?
Link:
Time to worry as football becomes the gambling industrys most lucrative sport - iNews
- OnlineGambling.com > #1 Online Gambling Sites Guide 2016 [Last Updated On: June 10th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 10th, 2016]
- Gambling Problem Hotline - 800 Gambler [Last Updated On: June 10th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 10th, 2016]
- Online Gambling Sites & Games Guide | Gambling.com [Last Updated On: June 10th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 10th, 2016]
- World Casino Directory - Casino Guide and Gambling Forums [Last Updated On: June 12th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 12th, 2016]
- South Florida Events & Restaurants - southflorida.com [Last Updated On: June 12th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 12th, 2016]
- Online Casino & Online Poker Room - 888.com [Last Updated On: June 12th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 12th, 2016]
- Gambling Addiction and Problem Gambling - helpguide.org [Last Updated On: June 16th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 16th, 2016]
- The History of Gambling - Complete Gambling History Timeline [Last Updated On: June 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 21st, 2016]
- Welcome to The Alderney Gambling Control Commission [Last Updated On: June 29th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 29th, 2016]
- Gambling Law US - State Gambling Laws United States [Last Updated On: June 29th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 29th, 2016]
- Gambling Addiction: Ten Ways to Stop Forever | Healdove [Last Updated On: July 14th, 2016] [Originally Added On: July 14th, 2016]
- GambleAware: Gambling Help & Gambling Addiction [Last Updated On: July 14th, 2016] [Originally Added On: July 14th, 2016]
- New York Casinos & Gambling in New York [Last Updated On: July 31st, 2016] [Originally Added On: July 31st, 2016]
- Virginia Casinos & Gambling in Virginia - World Casino ... [Last Updated On: September 2nd, 2016] [Originally Added On: September 2nd, 2016]
- William Hill Casino Club - Up To 150 Casino Bonus [Last Updated On: September 6th, 2016] [Originally Added On: September 6th, 2016]
- gambling | Britannica.com [Last Updated On: September 10th, 2016] [Originally Added On: September 10th, 2016]
- Texas Casinos & Gambling in Texas - Texas Casino Directory [Last Updated On: September 16th, 2016] [Originally Added On: September 16th, 2016]
- Problem gambling - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia [Last Updated On: September 20th, 2016] [Originally Added On: September 20th, 2016]
- Casino Gambling Web | Best Online Gambling News and Casinos ... [Last Updated On: October 13th, 2016] [Originally Added On: October 13th, 2016]
- Gambling | Wex Legal Dictionary / Encyclopedia | LII / Legal ... [Last Updated On: October 13th, 2016] [Originally Added On: October 13th, 2016]
- The Florida Council on Compulsive Gambling [Last Updated On: October 13th, 2016] [Originally Added On: October 13th, 2016]
- Gambling Addiction: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment [Last Updated On: October 13th, 2016] [Originally Added On: October 13th, 2016]
- Gambling Addiction Treatment Center, Rehab - Non Gambler [Last Updated On: October 25th, 2016] [Originally Added On: October 25th, 2016]
- New Jersey Casinos & Gambling in New Jersey [Last Updated On: November 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: November 21st, 2016]
- Gambling | Las Vegas Review-Journal [Last Updated On: November 23rd, 2016] [Originally Added On: November 23rd, 2016]
- Remote Gambling Association (RGA) [Last Updated On: December 16th, 2016] [Originally Added On: December 16th, 2016]
- Gambling - The New York Times [Last Updated On: December 23rd, 2016] [Originally Added On: December 23rd, 2016]
- Hard Rock Casino proposal announced for Meadowlands [Originally Added On: December 26th, 2016]
- Trusted Online Gambling Sites Since 1996 - Online.Gambling.org [Last Updated On: January 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: January 6th, 2017]
- One of the biggest gambling days of the year: Super Bowl Sunday brings big temptation for gambling addicts - fox6now.com [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2017]
- Famous YouTube FIFA gamer fined for gambling offences - Goal.com [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2017]
- Gambling Stock Roundup: Macau Sales Rise Again in January, Nevada Records a Drop in December - Yahoo Finance [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2017]
- Carryout owner facing gambling house charges - Lima Ohio [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2017]
- Crackdown on illegal gambling in the Philippines now underway - GamingTodaySlotsToday [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2017]
- Problem Gambling Researchers Know Issue All Too Well - KNPR [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2017]
- Military should screen for gambling disorder, GAO says - Virginian-Pilot [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2017]
- Gambling with people's autonomy - Spiked [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2017]
- YouTuber admits Fifa gambling offences - BBC News [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2017]
- Older gamblers face worse odds for addiction - Times Herald-Record [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- Bill introduced to lower age for legal gambling in Nevada - Las Vegas Review-Journal [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- Dangers of sports gambling - Daily Sundial [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- Military Should Screen for Gambling Problems, says Government Report - Casino.Org News [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- Gambling inquiry: Pokies no different than going to the movies, hospitality group says - ABC Online [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- GAO report recommends military members be screened for ... - wtkr.com [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- How to Handle Gambling Wins and Losses This Tax Season - TheStreet.com [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- FIFA gaming YouTuber faces huge fine after pleading guilty to gambling charges - Digital Trends [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- The Newest Challenge in Gambling: Finding Growth - Motley Fool [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- Federal oversight agency wants the military to screen for gambling addiction - Military Times [Last Updated On: February 9th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 9th, 2017]
- Gambling and plastic politics - San Diego Reader [Last Updated On: February 9th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 9th, 2017]
- Is gambling 'good for Gearhart'? - Daily Astorian [Last Updated On: February 9th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 9th, 2017]
- Super Bowl Betting Tally Helps Make the Case for Legalized Sports Gambling - TheStreet.com [Last Updated On: February 9th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 9th, 2017]
- Idaho House panel introduces bill limiting Indian gambling - Virginian-Pilot [Last Updated On: February 9th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 9th, 2017]
- MLB commissioner admits the league is rethinking its stance on gambling - FOXSports.com [Last Updated On: February 9th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 9th, 2017]
- YouTubers fined for running illegal FIFA 17 gambling site - Ars Technica [Last Updated On: February 9th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 9th, 2017]
- Proposal to lower legal gambling age gets cold reception from gaming industry - News3LV [Last Updated On: February 9th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 9th, 2017]
- South Australia's gambling tax highlights the regulatory mess of online betting - The Conversation AU [Last Updated On: February 10th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 10th, 2017]
- MLB Commish Opens Door to Legalized Gambling: 'We Are Reexamining Our Stance' - Mediaite [Last Updated On: February 10th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 10th, 2017]
- Kenyan youth splashing cash on looks, gambling Geopoll study - Nairobi News (satire) (press release) (blog) [Last Updated On: February 10th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 10th, 2017]
- No truth to alleged link between missing Spencerport teen, illegal gambling - 13WHAM-TV [Last Updated On: February 10th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 10th, 2017]
- Gamblers caught in Hat Yai open-air casino bust - Bangkok Post [Last Updated On: February 10th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 10th, 2017]
- Idaho House Panel Introduces Bill Limiting Indian Gambling | Boise ... - Boise State Public Radio [Last Updated On: February 10th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 10th, 2017]
- Duterte orders war on illegal gambling - Philippine Star [Last Updated On: February 10th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 10th, 2017]
- OUR VIEW: Transparency needed in gambling operations - Pacific Daily News [Last Updated On: February 11th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 11th, 2017]
- Rob Manfred may change MLB's stance on gambling - SB Nation [Last Updated On: February 11th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 11th, 2017]
- Kenya: Gambling in Kenya Gets Out of Hand - AllAfrica.com [Last Updated On: February 11th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 11th, 2017]
- The world's biggest gamblers - The Economist (blog) [Last Updated On: February 11th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 11th, 2017]
- Gambling Responsibly - New York Times [Last Updated On: February 11th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 11th, 2017]
- Do you have a mobile gambling/gaming problem? - KMTV [Last Updated On: February 11th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 11th, 2017]
- Worldwide Gambling Win Totaled $385 Billion in 2016, Australia Biggest Loser - Casino.Org News [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2017]
- New York State transformation into the gambling big leagues nearly ... - The Daily Freeman [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2017]
- Palace: Duterte won't hesitate to remove officials protecting gambling lords - Philippine Star [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2017]
- UFC 208 odds, gambling guide - MMA Fighting [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2017]
- Vote down gambling - The Augusta Chronicle [Last Updated On: February 13th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 13th, 2017]
- Casino gambling in Texas: Probably not this session, says lawmaker - LubbockOnline.com [Last Updated On: February 13th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 13th, 2017]
- Calendar urges gamblers to cut their losses l Dayton, Ohio - Dayton Daily News [Last Updated On: February 13th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 13th, 2017]
- AFL: Geelong's Harry Taylor questions 'worrying' effects of gambling advertising on children - ABC Online [Last Updated On: February 13th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 13th, 2017]
- Football's gambling problem: You better, you better, you bet - Football365.com [Last Updated On: February 13th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 13th, 2017]
- States are gambling with law enforcement safety | TheHill - The Hill (blog) [Last Updated On: February 13th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 13th, 2017]
- Scary graph shows how Australians are the biggest losers - NEWS.com.au [Last Updated On: February 13th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 13th, 2017]
- Last holdout Lakewood to vote on repealing video gambling ban - Northwest Herald [Last Updated On: February 14th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 14th, 2017]