NRL clubs being sponsored by gambling establishments

[Spanner in the works]

You guys need to think about the perception it creates...perception is reality, the facts run a poor second

I agree. The fact is that most people won't go running to the local house of gambling - whether that be the casino, pub, internet cafe or somewhere else. But the other fact which is far more pressing is that pressure groups and the public will use it as ammunition. Both rightly or wrongly.

 

[Perth Red]

True, it is about image, and RL still has an image probelm it needs to sort out.

 

[yakstorm]

The problem is, even if none of the clubs had sponsorships with the sports betting associations, and the NRL didn't have their deal with SportsTAB, there would still be the odds run through Channel 9 and Fox Sports coverage.

So the biggest annoyance to most people unfortunately would still exist. Lets face it, there are over 30 professional sporting franchises in Australia between League, Union, AFL, Soccer alone all fighting for business dollars. It does make it difficult for clubs to be picky and choosy.

 

[Different kind of Rabbit]

Why should Rugby League have to be the moral compass for society? Isn't that the Govt's job? They are supposed to be the representatives of the people. As far as I'm concerned, as long as it's legal, why shouldn't Rugby League take the money on offer? If sports gambling becomes illegal then it is a different story.

 

[Different kind of Rabbit]

As far as I'm concerned, Star City are better than the NAB who they have replaced. At least when you walk into Star City they are honest about wanting to take your money. Banks on the other hand...

 

[BunniesMan]

Today Nick Xenophon called for gambling sponsorship of footy to be banned...just wait till one of the major parties need his vote on something, gambling sponsorhip will go the same way of cigarette sponsorship.

 

[franklin2323]

As far as I'm concerned, Star City are better than the NAB who they have replaced. At least when you walk into Star City they are honest about wanting to take your money. Banks on the other hand...

This is how I see it aswell. Banks crying poor & putting up fees yet are fine to sponsor teams. Or Harvey Normans 24 months pay later. Makes people spend money they don't have.

 

[Willow]

money that they can't get from elsewhere?

says a lot about their ability to sell themselves to corporates

I'm not fond of it but it's the real world Moffo. Gambling is as old as the hills.

The Sydney Opera House was built on the proceeds from gambling, the Opera House Lottery. There was no outcry about that. Clubs have pokies, an 80 sq metre room can easily net $1 MIL per year.

It's far from perfect but unless you can find a better source of revenue, or change the laws, what do you suggest as an alternative?

The potential for match fixing is a carry on from this and I agree that some tight regulations are required.

I remember having a meeting with a media fella about betting from mobile phones some years ago, and all the new affiliate gambling programs that were coming onto the online market. We were discussing the potential for micro betting on coversion attempts etc. We both agreed that the league needed to get on top of it asap and for the NRL to put policies in place.

 

[Von]

I personally don't have a problem with sports gambling sponsorship. They contribute much through their sponsorship and also the sporting league gets a % of turnover. Win/Win.

What I do find amusing is Russell Crowe's objection to poker machines a few years back....but now all is apparently okay.

 

[andrew057]

Why is there no outcry when Cricket relays odds every two overs, or during an A-League game? Why is it always NRL that cop the criticism?

Who cares if kids are wearing Souths jerseys with Star City logos? They are wearing the jerseys cos it's a Souths jersey.

If they ask who are Star City, their parents can explain and educate them on the topic.

Most EPL clubs are sponsored by gambling sites and have their own affiliated gambling site. It's a non-issue as people need to take responsibility for their choices, and not blame it on 'sponsors.'

Superb post.

 

[siv]

I did not have a issue when the Dogs were sponsored by Star city a few years back, so why the fuss now when souths want to get the same sponsor ??

Like many of you I hate the commentators talking about the odds so often during a game. Maybe once at half time and let the rest be a banner on the bottom of the screen. Just like they do with interchanges.

What I would like the NRL or ARLC to do is make "associated betting agencies" only offer approved betting options

And remove the spot betting. The rigging of a game has almost been whiped out of all sports. Now its the uncontrolled pot betting that is the issue

 

[muzby]

moffo, for once i agree with you..

gambling is a cancer on the game..

firstly, gambling ruins lives and ruins families.. we are on the cusp of a massive epidemic of problem gambling now that you can do it pretty much anywhere, and not restricted to TAB outlets or the track.. the easiest way for a gambling addict to avoid relapsing is to avoid places of temptation - however with internet & phone betting, added in with odds being offered every 5 minutes whilst watching sport on tv, the place of temptation is now your very own home.. the place you are supposed to be safest..

and secondly, the sport is leaving itself wide open to more scandals such as last years bulldogs cowboys game.. sportspeople may be well paid, but if you can earn half a seasons wage by simply dropping a ball or giving away an easy penalty, then the opportunity is out there..


gambling advertising needs to go the way of cigarette advertising..

 

[Tigger Madness]

This doesn't bother me at all. If the game can get paid from betting agencies then I'm all for it.

As for the people with gambling problems, I have zero sympathy. No one is holding a gun to their head. If they want to ruin their lives and that of their families, it shouldnt be on anyone else's conscience.

 

[Timmah]

Clubs arguing social angles and that they aren't just gambling dens?

Most clubs are usually able to confirm up to 75% of their annual revenue is generated through gaming practices.

 

[Timmah]

Clubs arguing social angles and that they aren't just gambling dens?

Most clubs are usually able to confirm up to 75% of their annual revenue is generated through gaming practices.

 

[muzby]

Clubs arguing social angles and that they aren't just gambling dens?

Most clubs are usually able to confirm up to 75% of their annual revenue is generated through gaming practices.

very true, however for someone to gamble at the club, it involves phsyically making the choice to go there.

most of the new gambling sponsorships that involve online and by the minute betting makes gambling at home as easy as laughing at bunniesman..

 

[Alex28]

Today Nick Xenophon called for gambling sponsorship of footy to be banned...just wait till one of the major parties need his vote on something, gambling sponsorhip will go the same way of cigarette sponsorship.

Nick Xenophon bringing this up will pretty much mean the sponsorship is safe as houses. Neither party likes him and can't wait for him to disappear.

So...tell me...if they are going to not allow Star City and Centrebet sponsorship, are they going to ban grants from Leagues Clubs? After all the majority of income that comes from licensed clubs come from Poker Machine revenue...

It will break the game if they make it a blanket ban. It will be discriminatory to ban sponsorship from one gaming entity and not from another.

Won't happen.

As for the Star City logo on kids jerseys - fairly sure that is illegal. Same goes for alcohol logos as well...

 

[Timmah]

As for the Star City logo on kids jerseys - fairly sure that is illegal. Same goes for alcohol logos as well...

I think the way they're trying to get around it is by only having the image, not the name on the shirt. They still don't appear as a sponsor on the main page of the Souffs website.

 

[Babyface O'reilly]

I think the way they're trying to get around it is by only having the image, not the name on the shirt. They still don't appear as a sponsor on the main page of the Souffs website.

That Star is still the logo so that may be a problem as far as kids jerseys are concerned. I remember some motor racing teams with Marlboro sponsorship. They would just run the white chevron without the words to get around the ciggie ad ban but were still forced to ditch it as it was seen as that company's corporate identity.

 

[S.S.T.I.D]

The reason that they don't appear on our website is that, despite the fact that half the world knows about it and that we have even released 2011 jersey's, the announcement has not been made official yet.

Also, I would assume that the reason for not having any script below the star logo is that with the re-branding it has been suggested that the name may change. Supposedly from Star City to, simply, The Star. It is important to understand that, whilst Star City is seen as predominantly a casino, it also has multiple restaurants, theatres, clubs and once the renovations are complete (estimated at over $500 million) will be one of the premier entertainment establishments in the country. It is more than just a pokie palace.