GambleAware launches new campaign

The initiative is set to encourage discussion about the relationship between football and betting.

UK.- GambleAware, the independent charity tasked to fund research, education and treatment services to help with problems related to gambling, has launched a new initiative that seeks to raise awareness and encourage discussion regarding the relationship between football and betting.

The entity said that the initiative is designed to generate conversation and reflection about betting’s impact on football. The launch comes after a recent financial analysis by GambleAware and gambling industry specialists Regulus Partners, which shows that 80% of marketing spend by gambling companies is now online.

GambleAware has commissioned research into the impacts of gambling-related marketing, which will report in 2019, but hopes in the meantime that this initiative will stimulate a public debate among football fans.

Marc Etches, GambleAware’s Chief Executive, said: “We recognise that gambling-related sponsorship and advertising are important sources of funding for both professional football and grass-roots community participation in the sport. However, there is growing public concern about the nature and extent of the relationship between football and betting. In particular, whether the extent of betting-related marketing around football is contributing to the normalisation of gambling for children.”