Bolton Wanderers to ban betting kiosks
Bolton Wanderers is the latest English football club to ban gambling sponsorships.
UK.- The English Football League (EFL) club Bolton Wanderers has decided to ban on-site betting provisions at its stadium and to rule out any future sponsorships or other partnerships with gambling operators. Matchday betting kiosks will no longer be permitted at the University of Bolton Stadium.
The club said it would respect the EFL’s own commercial partnership with Sky Bet but that it would not take part in activities related to the agreement and would not promote gambling beyond its existing contractual requirements with the league.
It also said that it would support betting addiction charities and organisations, having already partnered with local addiction and mental health charity Whysup.
The club was sponsored by 188Bet for four years in the period when it played in the Premier League prior to 2012. In more recent years, it has had sponsorship agreements with Betfred and Spin & Win.
“We recognise that some people do want to bet and also that the league has a commercial partnership with a gambling company in place.”
Neil Hart, Bolton Wanderers chief executive.
Club chief executive Neil Hart said: “We recognise that some people do want to bet and also that the league has a commercial partnership with a gambling company in place – and we are respectful of this. However, we will not take part in any activity to promote gambling outside the existing EFL contractual requirements.
“As a club which is at the heart of our community, we want to support those who are suffering as a consequence of gambling addiction.”
The decision comes despite the EFL’s strong defence of the role of gambling sponsorship in football. However, it seems the industry may be fighting a losing battle on this front since a blanket ban on gambling sponsorship is widely expected as a result of the UK government’s ongoing review of gambling legislation.
Other clubs that have turned their back on gambling partnerships include Preston North End.
Bolton Wanderers will still run its own club lottery to raise funds for good causes and supporter engagement projects.
