Impact of Gambling Sponsorships on Football Fans
Introduction
Gambling sponsorships have become a common sight in the world of football, with many clubs signing deals with betting companies. However, the head of NHS England, Amanda Pritchard, has recently spoken out against these deals, saying that they send a message that “gambling is OK” and can have a negative impact on fans. This article will explore the implications of gambling sponsorships on football fans and the measures being taken to tackle gambling addiction.
The Rise of Gambling Sponsorships in Football
In recent years, gambling sponsorships have become increasingly common in the world of football. Many Premier League clubs have signed deals with betting companies, with some even having their shirts emblazoned with the logos of these firms. This has led to criticism from some quarters, with campaigners arguing that these deals normalise gambling and can be damaging to fans.
The Impact on Fans
The head of NHS England, Amanda Pritchard, has spoken out against these deals, saying that they send a message that “gambling is OK” and can have a negative impact on fans. She has urged football clubs to think about the impact on fans when accepting sponsorships from gambling firms.
Her comments come after the news that the NHS is nearly doubling the number of gambling addiction clinics to 15 after a record number of referrals. Some 1,389 patients were referred for gambling support in 2022-23, up from 775 two years prior.
The government has also set out plans to tackle gambling, including a commitment to introduce a statutory levy so gambling companies pay their “fair share” towards treatment services. The publication of the government’s white paper in April marked the biggest shake-up of regulation in the sector since the advent of the smartphone.
Campaigners have also called for more action to be taken on adverts, which they argue are luring more people into harm. The Lib Dems have accused the Conservatives of “dragging their feet” on the issue, saying that the new figures must be a “wake-up call” to ministers to act now before more lives are ruined.
Tackling Gambling Addiction
The NHS announcement of seven new clinics follows a coroner’s verdict on Thursday that one betting firm could have done more to help a gambler who took his own life in 2021 after amassing huge debts. The company in question, Betfair, said it had met all the regulatory standards which were in place at the time, but conceded in hindsight that it should have done more.
When the full set of 15 NHS facilities are open across England, the health service hopes to be able to treat 3,000 patients a year, using techniques such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). The seven new clinics are in Blackpool, Bristol, Derby, Liverpool, Milton Keynes, Sheffield, and Thurrock in Essex. These are in addition to others already running in London, Leeds, Newcastle, Manchester, Southampton, Stoke-on-Trent and Telford. An eighth clinic in London exists to treat not only gambling but also gaming addiction in children and young people.
Conclusion
Gambling sponsorships have become increasingly common in the world of football in recent years. However, there is growing concern about the impact these deals can have on fans and the normalisation of gambling they can lead to. The government and NHS are taking steps to tackle gambling addiction, with seven new clinics being opened this summer and plans for a statutory levy so gambling companies pay their “fair share” towards treatment services. It remains to be seen whether these measures will be enough to tackle the issue of gambling addiction among football fans.