The Sydney Kings of the National Basketball League and The Sydney Uni Flames women’s team became the first clubs in Australia to say no deal to sports betting sponsorship and advertising. The teams joined the Reclaim the Game initiative to offset the normalization of betting and advertising that have become part of the game, according to iGaming Business.
The New South Wales Office of Responsible Gambling developed the program.
In addition, cricket clubs like the Sydney Sixers and Sydney Thunder, Australian Rules Football team, the Sydney Swans, and A-League football clubs Western Sydney Wanderers and Macarthur FC have also opted in.
“It speaks to our commitment to social and community responsibility,” said Paul Smith, the chairman and owner of both the Sydney Kings and Sydney Uni Flames. “Our own players have been victim to abuse on social media because betting got out of hand. “By working with GambleAware, we are encouraging our fans and the community to stay within their means and to not let betting take away from what sport should be about.”
Under the new three-year partnership, the government will commit a total of AUS$328,000 (US$235,155) in funding for advertising across TV, radio, online, social media and outdoor to promote the ‘Here For The Game’ campaign.
The ads promote the idea that fans do not need gambling to enjoy sports.
