NRL clubs join other sport codes in rejecting sports gambling advertising

March 3, 2022

In a first for the National Rugby League, two clubs - Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs and the South Sydney Rabbitohs have rejected sports gambling advertising and joined Reclaim the Game, a NSW Government initiative to challenge the idea that betting is a normal part of sport.

Online sports betting is the fastest growing form of gambling and the NRL is the most popular sport to bet on in NSW.

The two high profile clubs join teams from four other codes in turning down sports betting sponsorships. Nine teams across cricket, the A-League, AFL and NBL are already making gambling awareness and education part of their game.

South Sydney Rabbitohs Chief Executive, Blake Solly notes “our community plays such a big role in our Club, and we felt that this is a campaign we can support to reduce community exposure to sports betting advertising.

“Research shows there are long term effects on families when sports betting causes gambling harm in the community and we feel the Reclaim the Game message is a positive for the fans and families that support our Club and our sport.

“We hope that we play a style of football that can entertain everyone in the family without feeling like they need to bet on the game to enjoy it.

“Reclaim the Game is all about that message, and we’re happy to support them and their desire to effect cultural change around sports gambling advertising.”

Bulldogs Chief Executive, Aaron Warburton, was pleased to support the initiative and added “the contest, the rivalries, the skill, and the personalities within our game drive millions of viewers across country to tune in. Rugby League is one of the most entertaining sporting experiences on offer.

“At Bulldogs home matches, we are extremely proud to be reclaiming the game for our members and fans. We believe that you should be able to watch and enjoy our great game with your friends and families without the constant advertising from sports betting companies.”

Director of the Office of Responsible Gambling, Natalie Wright, said more than any other sport, the NRL is saturated with sports betting advertising and cultural change is vital to prevent and reduce gambling harm in the community.

Wright highlights “The NRL fan-base is huge and gambling advertising is everywhere which means if you’re a supporter you can’t avoid seeing it.”

Young men are most at risk of gambling harm and an estimated 41% of regular sports betting experience one or more gambling-related problems.

“Sports betting companies know that visibility works, which is why they invest so much in advertising on the most popular code in NSW,” Wright added.

“We are so pleased to see the Bulldogs and Rabbitohs reclaim the game in the advertising spaces they control. They are leading the way in the NRL by calling time on sports betting sponsorships. We hope that other clubs and the NRL itself will follow suit, so that fans can get back to what sport is all about.”

Image (from left): Aaron Warburton of the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs; Natalie Wright, Director Office of Responsible Gambling and Blake Solly of the South Sydney Rabbitohs.

21st February 2022 - Survey reveals AFL fans concerned over gambling advertising

30th November 2021 - South Australian Government and Adelaide United Football Club partner to tackle sports gambling

30th August 2021 - Australian sports bookmaker fined $60,000 for illegal gambling ads

31st March 2021 - Macarthur FC and Sydney Swans to reject gambling sponsorships

10th February 2021 - A-League’s Western Sydney Wanderers partnership sees rejection of gambling sponsors

3rd December 2019 - Cricket Australia refuses gambling sponsor for Big Bash League

4th November 2019 - Gambling revenues set to fall for 2019 Melbourne Cup

29th April 2016 - Australian Government to tighten regulations on online betting

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