Geelong Cats Tackle Sports Betting With “Love the Game” Initiative
The Australian Rules Football team, the Geelong Cats, have declared their backing for the “Love the Game” program from the Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation.
In a strong message against wagering on sports, the organization will prohibit all gambling promotions from Geelong Stadium during their game versus the Western Bulldogs today.
The Cats proudly stand as one of more than 500 athletic organizations in Victoria that decline to take sponsorships from sports betting companies. They stressed the unified stance of all ten Victorian AFL squads in their dedication to shielding children from the widespread impact of sports betting marketing.
The organization emphasized a worrisome figure: almost one-third of all sports wagers in the state are placed by males between 18 and 24 years old. This, they contend, is a direct consequence of the constant bombardment of gambling advertisements young individuals encounter while present at live sporting contests.
Referencing a 2020 poll that revealed 88% of Victorian sports enthusiasts think young people are subjected to excessive sports betting promotions, the Cats drew attention to the industry’s alarming expansion. In 2019 alone, a startling $2.32 billion AUD ($1.75 billion USD) was allocated to gambling advertisements in Australia, a significant rise from the $89.7 million expended in 2011.
“Eradicating gambling and gaming is crucial to our organization, and we take pride in our stadium’s absence of any sports betting advertisements,” stated Geelong Cats Chief Commercial Officer, Braith Cox.
The Geelong Football Club has rejected proposals for sports wagering partnerships. As participants in the Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation’s “Love the Game” initiative, the team aims to minimize supporter contact with gambling promotions.
Their stance is that young individuals should be inspired to appreciate the athletic competition for its inherent value, rather than for the wagering possibilities it offers.