Football Victoria is delighted to announce its proud partnership with the Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation’s Love the Game program has been extended for a further three years.
The Love the Game program is driving positive change within the sports industry, reducing the exposure of young people to sports betting promotions and disrupting the normalisation of betting on sport.
Football Victoria CEO, Kimon Taliadoros highlighted the importance of educating young Victorians on the risks and potential harms of gambling.
“Excessive advertising has embedded sports gambling into Australia’s youth culture.
It’s vital that we (Football Victoria) continue to work alongside the Foundation and other sporting bodies to take a stand. Sports and gambling do not need to go hand in hand,” he said.
“I’m thrilled to announce Football Victoria and the Foundation are extending our longstanding relationship. Together, we can work alongside our community to create a healthy environment, which encourages young people to love the game, not the odds.”
For young Australians, there has never been a time where betting hasn’t been considered a normal part of sport. Prolific marketing has normalised it to the point where the risks associated with gambling appear minimal, because everyone seems to be doing it.
It’s changing this mindset that has led more than 650 local and professional sporting clubs throughout Victoria to pledge allegiance to the Love the Game program.
Foundation CEO Shane Lucas welcomed the extended partnership.
“There is significant community concern about sports gambling ads, with a recent survey of 17,000+ Victorian sports fans finding that 88 per cent think young people (12–17 years) are exposed to too much sports betting advertising,” Mr Lucas said.
“Football Victoria’s refusal of sports betting sponsorship demonstrates strong leadership, as well as an appreciation of what’s important to the fans.
“It also sends a very clear message to all football clubs that Football Victoria doesn’t accept the notion that it’s normal to bet on sport.”
If you agree that sport and gambling don’t belong together, we encourage you to get involved in the Love the Game program and talk to young people about the risks associated with sports betting.
SIGN YOUR CLUB TO THE LOVE THE GAME SPORTING CLUB PROGRAM
Football Victoria encourages all clubs to sign up to the Love the Game Sporting Club program. By signing up, you will join Football Victoria and more than 650 clubs across Victoria that say NO to sports betting sponsorships to help reduce young people’s exposure to gambling promotion.
Sign up now at:
For more information on Football Victoria partnerships, please contact Anthony Grima, Head of Commercial at anthony.grima@footballvictoria.com.au