A number of Australia’s leading sports teams - including some that operate poker machines - have signed a new charter designed to protect young people from gambling-related harm.
Six of the state of Victoria’s Australian Football League clubs - Hawthorn, Western Bulldogs, St Kilda, Essendon, Collingwood and North Melbourne - have made the pledge, which is part of a Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation programme.
Minister for Consumer Affairs, Gaming and Liquor Regulation Jane Garrett said: “This charter will help to reduce the exposure of young people to gambling through sports and better educate fans, players and members about the risks of gambling.”
As part of the charter, clubs are committed to keeping gambling away from their social and fundraising activities with young people. They have agreed not to provide gambling inducements for awards and prizes and to promote responsible gambling to players, members and visitors.
The clubs have also pledged not to make sponsorship deals with sports betting agencies that would see them promoting gambling to young people under 18.
Where participating clubs own or operate poker machines, they have committed to promoting the established Gambler’s Help venue support programme and help services.
Serge Sardo, CEO of the Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation, said the charter was “not an anti-gambling message. It’s a commitment to minimising the exposure of gambling advertising and gambling culture on young people.”
