2 NRL clubs extend partnership with NSW Reclaim the Game initiative

The South Sydney Rabbitohs and Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs have extended partnerships for another three years.

Australia.- Two NRL clubs, the South Sydney Rabbitohs and Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, have announced that they have extended their participation in the New South Wales government’s Reclaim the Game initiative for another three years.

The clubs have been part of Reclaim the Game for two years. Recent surveys indicate an increase in awareness among Rabbitohs and Bulldogs supporters about where to seek help for gambling-related issues. Sports betting advertising and sponsorship will continue to be prohibited at home games and the clubs will promote Reclaim the Game through various communication channels.

This announcement comes ahead of the match between the Rabbitohs and Bulldogs at Accor Stadium Homebush on Friday, March 29. Launched in 2020, the Reclaim the Game program has 11 partners across five sporting codes: AFL, A-League, cricket, NBL, and NRL. 

Alison Parkinson, director of the office of responsible gambling, said: “NRL games draw huge crowds and receive extensive media coverage. The NRL is highly intertwined with betting advertising and sponsorships, increasing the risk of gambling harm among fans.

“The Rabbitohs and Bulldogs have been pioneers against the saturation of betting ads in the NRL, helping to make their game days a family-friendly experience. “Family traditions often shape support for a club, and attitudes towards gambling can also be passed down through generations.

“We are pleased to see the Rabbitohs’ and the Bulldogs’ commitment to addressing this issue, highlighting the potential harms that gambling can cause individuals, families and society.”

South Sydney Rabbitohs CEO Blake Solly said: “We are thrilled to extend our partnership with Reclaim the Game. Their commitment to being part of a positive social movement aligns with the values of our club, and we are excited to continue working together to challenge the notion that gambling is a normal part of sport.”

Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs CEO Aaron Warburton added: “In 2022 we joined forces with Reclaim the Game to say no to sports betting advertising. It was a first-of-its-kind partnership for our club and one we are extremely proud of, challenging the notion that betting is a normal part of the game.

“Rugby League is one of the most entertaining sporting experiences on offer and we firmly believe that our members and fans should be able to watch and enjoy this great game without constant advertising from sports betting companies. The contests, rivalries, skills and personalities within our game are what make it so attractive to millions of viewers and we couldn’t put it better than to say, don’t let a bet take you away from the game.”

See also: Queensland passes gambling reforms