Betting on junior teams associated with British soccer clubs is a popular activity in the sports industry.
Poor marketing decisions have raised concerns about advertising and logos targeted at children in the field of gambling. The focus is on the sponsors, who are responsible for ensuring their advertisements are not aimed at individuals under the age of 18.
Football clubs in the UK, including Wolverhampton Wanderers, which plays in the Premier League and is sponsored by W88, issued the following statements:
"We have removed the link and we apologize if this has caused any concern. We take our responsibilities regarding gambling advertisements very seriously and will continue to work with relevant authorities to ensure compliance."
Aston Villa, a team in the second English league sponsored by 32Red, responded with a similar statement:
"We have removed the links and apologize for any confusion caused. We take our responsibilities regarding gambling advertisements very seriously and will continue to work with the relevant authorities to ensure compliance."
Aston Villa faced even harsher scrutiny when two gambling logos were found under the "Junior Villans" section, leading to "Ant and Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway" and "Jurassic World" websites.
Other clubs in the second English league, sponsored by various gambling providers, also issued similar statements.
The three teams in the third tier of English league football responded with apologies and promises to follow guidelines in the future.
The Scottish clubs, Celtic Glasgow, Hibernian, and Motherwell, which play in the top Scottish league, also made similar statements.
Conclusion
According to a BBC investigation, 15 British professional football teams' junior websites directly linked to gambling and betting websites, raising concerns from British advertising and gambling regulatory authorities. Most of the affected teams are in the second English league, known as the Championship, and are sponsored by various gambling companies. The links were typically placed under details on how to join the junior clubs or about club mascots. The Gambling Commission described the situation as unacceptable and urged sponsors to follow guidelines. The clubs apologized and vowed to adhere to regulations in the future.
"It's crucial for sports teams to prevent unsuitable content from appearing on these platforms. We expect gambling companies to be responsible for their marketing activities."
Social (Ir)responsibility
Drawing attention to the role of teams, the BBC report highlights the need for them to play a more proactive role in combating gambling addiction. A spokesperson from the Premier League clubs mentioned that they intend to "work with the league" in the future. To convince foreign gambling providers of the importance of these guidelines, measures need to be taken.
Drastic examples of the importance of these guidelines can be seen with Jack Ritchie, a 24-year-old man from Sheffield who took his own life in November 2017 due to his gambling addiction. His mother, Liz, explained the impact of football betting on her son:
"It became part of what he loved, namely football."
The call for action is for a curriculum focusing on the dangers of gambling to be introduced in schools.
In Germany, the relationship between gambling providers and professional football clubs isn't too different. A scandal involving the new Merkur Spielarena in Düsseldorf raised questions about the ethics of these partnerships. Whether there will be repercussions and a public debate sparked by the BBC investigation remains to be seen.
"Gambling and football in Germany seem to merge seamlessly, similar to the UK."
"Jack Ritchie, a 24-year-old man from Sheffield, took his life in November 2017 due to a gambling addiction. Football betting influenced him significantly. It became a part of what he loved."
"Educating children about the threats of gambling should be included in the school's curriculum, according to the final demand."
This investigation begs the question: "Do we need to update our regulations regarding such partnerships?"
It's time for organizations to prioritize children's well-being and consider both the psychological consequences and the role of institutions that inspire and fascinate them. A safe environment, aware of the risks, is what children and society deserve.
"The collaboration between gambling providers and football clubs, which seems natural in Germany and the UK, should be assessed critically."
"The UK authorities are not content with the situation and demand compliance from gambling companies."
"The tragedy of Jack Ritchie, a 24-year-old from Sheffield, who committed suicide due to a gambling addiction, reinforces the need for education about gambling risks."
"To prevent further issues, it's essential that we introduce a curriculum on gambling dangers in schools."
"A second investigation highlights the urgent need to review our institutions' marketing strategies and partnerships to minimize the harmful effects on young admirers."
"It's crucial to create a safe environment for children where they can learn about the dangers of gambling."
"The time has come to reassess partnerships and regulations to ensure children aren't exposed to gambling that could potentially ruin their lives."
"A clear message needs to be sent to gambling companies to follow guidelines."
"The situation has prompted debates about the impact of gambling on the unity of clubs, fans, and the emotional well-being of children."
"Do children need protection from sponsors' harmful activities?"
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