With U.K. authorities increasingly criticizing sports betting ads, the Bolton Wanderers FC has decided to eliminate all onsite betting ads at the University of Bolton Stadium in Greater Manchester.
Moreover, the team has pledged not to enter into new commercial partnerships and sponsorships with gambling industry firms, and will support charities and organizations that aid problem gamblers, according to Insider Sports.
“Problem gambling ruins lives, and we’ve taken this stance to show our support for those who are suffering from a betting addiction,” said Bolton Chairwoman Sharon Brittan.
According to the club, between 340,000 and 1.4 million adult gambling addicts in the U.K. and over 60,000 young people aged between 11 and 16 are addicted.
Under the current overhaul of the 2005 U.K. Gambling Act, betting and gambling firms will likely be prohibited from having ads on the front of football shirts in the Premier League. Stopping short of banning such provisions in the lower leagues, League One CEO Neil Hart said the league has a commercial partnership with a gambling company in place. “We are respectful of this. However, we will not take part in any activity to promote gambling outside the existing contractual requirements. This means that we will not provide match day betting kiosks or enter into any new agreements with gambling companies.”
In related news, the U.K. review of the country’s 2005 Gambling Law is nearly complete. Advertising on team jerseys looks like a goner. So is branding on stadium grounds. Revenue streams will take a hit, leading to a quest for income elsewhere. The full report is expected in November.
