The Sydney Kings and Sydney Uni Flames have joined the Reclaim the Game campaign and will reject sports betting sponsorships and advertising, in a first for Australian basketball.
Reclaim the Game is a partnership campaign program aiming to counter the normalisation of sports betting and advertising in sport and to raise awareness of gambling harms.
The program helps fans to enjoy sport, free from betting advertising and sponsorships.
Sydney Kings and Uni Flames join Reclaim the Game
Sydney Kings and Sydney Uni Flames have joined a growing and enviable cohort of various sports clubs which have taken a strong stance against sports betting advertising.
Cricket’s Sydney Sixers and Sydney Thunder, Australian Football League’s Sydney Swans and the A-League’s Western Sydney Wanderers FC and Macarthur FC have all signed up to the program and are helping their players, fans and communities to be gamble aware.
Paul Smith, Chairman of the Sydney Kings and Uni Flames applauded the partnership.
“This action speaks to our commitment to social and community responsibility as our own players have fallen victim to abuse on social media because their betting got out of hand.”
“By working with GambleAware, we are encouraging our fans and the whole community to stay within their means and to not let betting take away from what sport should be about.”
More than $270m was spent on gambling advertising in 2018. The Office of Responsible Gambling data showed that 77% of Aussies believe that there is a lot of gambling advertising.
Four in five believe advertising increases the risk of developing a problem with gambling.
Reclaim the Game initiative for responsible sports
Natalie Wright, the Director of the Office of Responsible Gambling said, “Online betting is endemic in sport and wagering sponsorships kept gambling centred in the fans’ minds.
“We are constantly viewing sports betting advertising in almost every aspect of sport and this is sending a message that betting is part and parcel of fans enjoying their sports.”
“Gambling advertising’s whole purpose is to convince an individual so as to place a bet.”
“Reclaim the Game is about creating a space for fans to enjoy sport without betting advertising and reducing their exposure to advertising and promotions which can lead to risky gambling.”
Going forward, the Office of Responsible Gambling is in discussions with other sports clubs and expects to announce a bunch of new Reclaim the Game partners.
If you or someone you care about needs support or advice, please call GambleAware on 1800 858 858 for free and confidential help and support 24/7 or visit their website.
