The South Sydney Rabbitohs and the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, two Australian National Rugby League (NRL) clubs, have reached an agreement to maintain their ban on all sports betting sponsorships for the next three years.
The two New South Wales (NSW) based teams will not display gambling advertisements during NRL home contests. They will also continue to educate players, staff, and fans about the dangers of wagering.
This decision aligns with the NSW government’s “Take Back the Game” campaign. The initiative, launched in 2020, encompasses various sports and encourages teams to avoid marketing partnerships with gambling firms.
The Rabbitohs and Bulldogs have been supporting the campaign for the past two years, showcasing the “Take Back the Game” branding at all home matches.
According to the NSW government, awareness of GambleAware responsible gambling services has significantly risen since collaborating with the two teams. The government stated that roughly one-third of Rabbitohs and Bulldogs supporters are familiar with the GambleAware website and hotline.
NRL contests draw in a massive crowd and get extensive media attention,” stated Alison Parkinson, director of the NSW Responsible Gambling Office. “The NRL’s strong connections to wagering promotion and backing heightens the danger of gambling harm among supporters.
“The South Sydney Rabbitohs and the Bulldogs are spearheading the opposition to the overabundance of gambling advertisements in the NRL. They are striving to make their game days a family-friendly environment. Family customs often shape club backing. Views on gambling can also be passed down through generations.”
The government added that the initiative has received widespread backing, enabling it to reach millions of viewers across over 260 matches. This encompasses both television and within stadiums. There is ongoing support for the ad-blocking initiative.
“Reclaim the Game” now has 11 partners from five sports, including the Australian Football League (AFL), A-League, Cricket, National Basketball League, and NRL.
Other teams and organizations backing the initiative include AFL team Sydney Swans, A-League clubs Western Sydney Wanderers FC and Macarthur FC, and Cricket NSW.
“We are delighted to expand our partnership with ‘Reclaim the Game’,” said Blake Solly, CEO of the South Sydney Rabbitohs. “Their dedication to being part of a positive social movement aligns with our club’s values. We are excited to continue working together to challenge the notion that gambling is a typical part of sports.”
The top executive of the Bulldogs, Aaron Warburton, stated, “Rugby league is among the most thrilling sports. We firmly believe that our supporters should be able to experience the game without being continually overwhelmed by gambling promotions.”
Could Australia prohibit wagering advertisements?
Wagering businesses in Australia already encounter some limitations on their advertising. Regulations restrict gambling promotions during live sporting contests from 5:00 am to 8:30 pm. This restriction also applies to radio and streaming services.
However, Australians are still exposed to a significant amount of gambling advertisements. In the year preceding April 30, 2023, more than a million gambling advertisements were displayed on Australian television and radio. Half of these were for online gambling firms.
Some broadcasting companies have already taken steps to reduce gambling advertisements. For instance, the Special Broadcasting Service allows viewers to opt out of seeing gambling advertisements.
This could potentially lead to a complete prohibition on gambling advertisements in Australia. Last year, a parliamentary investigation into online gambling suggested a gradual ban on online gambling advertisements across all media platforms.
The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Social Policy and Legal Affairs examined online gambling and its impact on individuals with gambling problems. They released a report containing 31 suggestions for enhancing the Australian gambling industry.
The group aims to eliminate all gambling advertisements on television, radio, and the web. They assert that this will close any potential loopholes. This is merely one of numerous proposals they are considering.
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