Geelong is proud to be one of the 500+ sporting clubs across Victoria that says no to sports betting.
While we’re rivals on the field, all 10 Victorian AFL clubs are united in our commitment to protect kids from the promotion of gambling in sport.
Almost a third of sports betting in Victoria is undertaken by men aged 18–24. This shouldn’t come as a surprise, given kids this century have routinely been exposed to excessive levels of sports betting advertising while watching their heroes during live broadcast matches.
They’ve grown up thinking it’s normal to bet on sport, and research shows that when people think something is normal, they think it’s safe. But the reality is that gambling is an inherently risky activity.
The gambling industry spent $232 million on ads in Australia in 2019, up from $89.7 million in 2011, excluding sponsorships and in-program content, such as during live sports broadcasts.
The Geelong Football Club is not okay with this and neither is our community, with a survey undertaken in 2020 finding that 88 per cent of Victorian sports fans agree that young people are exposed to too much sports betting advertising.
During Round 14, on Friday night Geelong FC will host a Love the Game round against the Western Bulldogs at GMHBA Stadium, where there are no gambling ads on display.
“It's extremely important for our club to be gambling and gaming free, and we are proud that our stadium doesn’t display any sports gambling advertising," Geelong chief commercial Braith Cox said.
“As a partner of the Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation’s Love the Game program, Geelong says no to sports betting sponsorship to help limit the gambling promotions seen by our fans.
“We want to encourage young people to love the game, not the odds.”
For tips on talking to kids about the risks associated with sports betting, visit lovethegame.vic.gov.au
