One of the biggest controversial gambling issues in Australia is the concern about gambling advertising during sporting events. Responsible gambling campaigners are concerned that advertising during broadcasts and at sporting grounds are exposing young people to gambling, and the MCG has recently made some changes.
According to The Age, the Melbourne Cricket Grounds will be removing gambling advertising from it scoreboard. Usually, gambling brands advertise during highlights and replays, providing constant exposure to the recognisable logos and names or betting operators and casino firms. Now, these adverts will no longer play, as AFL chairman Mike Fitzpatrick has intervened.
Fitzpatrick has always been against advertising and displaying live odds during sports matches, and he openly supported the removal of live odds from AFL scoreboards in recent years. At the beginning of the season, Fitzpatrick informed CEO Gillon McLachlan about his distaste for the advertising that is displayed on the scoreboard. Stephen Gough, Chief of the Melbourne Cricket Club was also made aware of the issue.
The AFL has been at odds with the MCG over the issue for quite some time. One of the major issues is that bet365 has a deal in which the sportsbetting operator can display flash promotions on the scoreboard for ¼ of every game at the MCG. This is a significant portion of time during a sports match, and it certainly does have some effect the perception of gambling by children and other vulnerable viewers.
"The brand flash advertising that goes with replays of highlights and goals won't be there next year," Gough says. "I can't tell you what ads will show that are beyond my control but the one I can control will change next year."
About the Author
