Bulldogs Commit to Three More Years of Tackling Sports Betting Advertising

[TwinTurbo]

Bulldogs Commit to Three More Years of Tackling Sports Betting Advertising

The Bulldogs are proud to extend our partnership with Reclaim the Game.

www.bulldogs.com.au

Caitlin Glanville
Media & Communications Manager
Timestamp Mon 25 Mar 2024, 11:01 AM

Fans of the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs can anticipate more games with reduced sports betting advertising, as the Club and Reclaim the Game extend their partnership for an additional three years.

The decision to extend the partnership follows two successful years of collaborating with the NSW Government’s Reclaim the Game initiative. The Bulldogs have been working with Reclaim the Game since March 2022, and are one of the first NRL clubs to partner on the initiative.

During this time, the Club has made significant strides in reshaping attitudes towards sports betting within the NRL community. The 2023 Reclaim the Game survey illustrates a notable increase in awareness among supporters about where to get help for gambling-related issues, and since joining forces, Bulldogs’ Members and fans have exhibited heightened awareness of GambleAware services with approximately one in three supporters now familiar with the GambleAware website and helpline.

Bulldogs CEO Aaron Warburton said that the Bulldogs community has shown immense support for the partnership:

“In 2022 we joined forces with Reclaim the Game to say no to sports betting advertising. It was a first of its kind partnership for our Club and one we are extremely proud of, challenging the notion that betting is a normal part of the game.

“Rugby League is one of the most entertaining sporting experiences on offer and we firmly believe that our Members and fans should be able to watch and enjoy this great game without constant advertising from sports betting companies. The contests, rivalries, skills and personalities within our game are what make it so attractive to millions of viewers and we couldn’t put it better than to say, don’t let a bet take you away from the game.”

The partnership, which has now been extended for an additional three years, supports the Bulldogs’ efforts to provide a more family-friendly sporting experience at home matches. It means the Bulldogs will opt not to accept betting sponsorship or advertisements, rather the Club will actively promote Reclaim the Game to educate players, staff and fans about the risks associated with gambling.

The South Sydney Rabbitohs were also early adopters of the initiative, joining forces with Reclaim the Game in the same year as the Bulldogs. The two sides are set to face off on Good Friday, March 29, 2024, at Accor Stadium, in a match entirely devoid of betting advertisements and will continue to encourage more rugby league fans to be gamble aware.

Director of the Office of Responsible Gambling, Alison Parkinson is excited to continue working with the Bulldogs. “NRL games draw huge crowds and receive extensive media coverage. The NRL is highly intertwined with betting advertising and sponsorships, increasing the risk of gambling harm among fans. “The Bulldogs have been pioneers against the saturation of betting ads in the NRL, helping to make their game days a family-friendly experience. “Family traditions often shape support for a club, and attitudes towards gambling can also be passed down through generations. “We are pleased to see the Bulldogs’ commitment to addressing this issue, highlighting the potential harms that gambling can cause individuals, families and society.”


I have the same question that I had 2 years go. How does this sit with V'landys, the king of gambling?


Always a Bulldog

 

[CroydonDog]

its a tricky one. I'm all for getting sports betting off our jerseys, TVs, radios, web ads etc, and out of our (and our children's) faces.

But, on the other hand, we're a club largely funded by gambling.

 

[Magic Burton]

its a tricky one. I'm all for getting sports betting off our jerseys, TVs, radios, web ads etc, and out of our (and our children's) faces.

But, on the other hand, we're a club largely funded by gambling.

Completely funded by gambling

The sports bar is a ghost town at the leagues club

 

[boggie23]

Isnt Gus a big punter lol

I guess its a good stance for the club, as long as the sponsorship pays something right? But yeh I wouldnt be offended if we had a gambling partner. It was more offensive when Castles sacked the cheerleaders or made them dress up more Aint nobody got time for that.

 

[enoughsaid]

Completely funded by gambling

The sports bar is a ghost town at the leagues club

Because it's set up all wrong
its a joke
they won't even turn the volume up on a non Canterbury game

 

[Kempsey Dog]

Hello Buzz I know you'll be reading this thread haha "it's just hypocritical Kentyyy"

 

[Brendan7]

Sorry but doesn't Gus hold a podcast about the games and betting odds of the week lol

 

[diddly]

My understanding is that the "reclaim" themes is not about ending gambling, but educating about it - regardless I doubt Vlandys (ie the NRL,) would like the cubs position.

More rich bookmakers than punters, more rich owners of poker machines than users of poker machines.

 

[John Matrix]

Adversting gambiling during needs to end, nothing to do with gambiling itself but it doesn't help how the game is viewed when people already think its corrupt. People who want to gamble know how to already, its a grab at getting new people.

 

[TwinTurbo]

There is a difference between endlessly promoting gambling during games to people who shouldn't be gambling such as kids, versus having poker machines on your premises for your members to play legally.


Always a Bulldog

 

[steeliz]

It is about awareness and education not about banning sports betting.

 

[Magic Burton]

Because it's set up all wrong
its a joke
they won't even turn the volume up on a non Canterbury game

Agree with you terrible sports bar. The food isn't crash hot. Just a pokies venue.

 

[Kelpie03]

Adversting gambiling during needs to end, nothing to do with gambiling itself but it doesn't help how the game is viewed when people already think its corrupt. People who want to gamble know how to already, its a grab at getting new people.

Great post bro, it would be easy for any Government to ban gambling adds. But our leaders are either to gutless (fear of gambling agencies campaigning against them) or (getting back hands from them). Corruption is out of control nowdays.
Unfortunately I can only see the number gambling ads increasing.

 

[John Matrix]

Great post bro, it would be easy for any Government to ban gambling adds. But our leaders are either to gutless (fear of gambling agencies campaigning against them) or (getting back hands from them). Corruption is out of control nowdays.
Unfortunately I can only see the number gambling ads increasing.

NRL said years ago they are going to ban adds during the game but need to do it before and after.

There is too much money to be made for all parties, government knows that people will do it anyway, just like tax revenue on smokes and alcohol.

 

[senshidog]

There is a difference between endlessly promoting gambling during games to people who shouldn't be gambling such as kids, versus having poker machines on your premises for your members to play legally.


Always a Bulldog

Very well said.

Spotify has endless Sportsbet ads. Everytime the footy is on its Sportsbet ads.

It's completely over the top and out of control.

They need to ban betting advertising the same way they did with cigarette advertising.

People don't need ads to tell them how to bet.

 

[maroondog72]

Don’t gamble But good luck to anyone that does, Don’t smoke but good luck to anyone that does, I enjoy a drink with mates. None of these Vices should be sponsoring or advertising sports of any kind IMO. Banning Alcohol and Tobacco sponsorship and then jumping into bed with any betting agency that will open their cheque book is the height of Hypocrisy by the NRL For mine.

 

[maroondog72]

There is a difference between endlessly promoting gambling during games to people who shouldn't be gambling such as kids, versus having poker machines on your premises for your members to play legally.


Always a Bulldog

100%

 

[_G-Dog_]

Wont get a result unless the game or all the teams join in.. sports betting is heavily promoted during games..

 

[Magic Burton]

Wont get a result unless the game or all the teams join in.. sports betting is heavily promoted during games..

You are correct on this. But it's laughable clubs not just our clubs but many clubs on a lot of issues love to take high moral grounds and at the same time want as much money and revenue from the game as possible.

The two main sources of revenue for the NRL is money from live TV broadcasting and sports gambling both go hand in hand. The grants from the NRL to the clubs and the rise in player salaries is because of live broadcasts and gambling on sports matches. Without gambling being involved the value of the sport as a live televised sport decreases as does the grants from the NRL to the clubs which allows a big boost in the salary cap.

The majority of our money outside of the NRL grants as explained above comes from Canterbury Leagues Clubs a place that is essentially a gambling den with very little else on offer.

Our major sponsor is Laundy Hotels who have seen their bank balance soar since poker machines was brought into pubs. Their next biggest asset after gambling on the machines is gambling on horse races whilst getting smashed with alcohol.

It's admirable what clubs want to try and achieve but it's just plain tokenism because of how NRL player salaries are paid and how a lot of clubs are structured.

Gambling is one of the oldest traditions in Rugby League.

 

[wendog33]

With Mr Sports Betting running the show, and his planned extension with his Vegas Venture ...gambling only going to get bigger and probably crime gangs take it over.

Don't laugh and scoff.

They have successfully partially taken over and extorting the almond/bee industry even! Anywhere they can make a buck.

(Four Corners)