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Problem gambling is a big issue within society, predominantly affecting the male portion of our community who like to bet on sport. Which begs the question: why is Sportsbet one of the sponsors of the much loved AFL Footy Show?
According to contractual agreements with Sportsbet, the Footy Show is forced to constantly drum in the odds of every match over the weekend. The experts certainly don’t need the odds to determine their tips for the round.
Most fans tune in to look at the ins and outs of each squad for tipping and Dream Team purposes, not gambling.
If people want to get on the punt and back a team, there are multiple TAB venues and betting agencies that supply the odds. There is no need for the odds to be splashed all over the Footy Show and furthermore no need to have Sportsbet as a major sponsor.
The constant advertising is making it extremely hard for men in particular; to admit they have a gambling addiction.
There is a lot of shame about gambling addiction, because unlike alcohol and drugs, it is not observable – people can keep it hidden.
The gamblers help ad “I lost my best mate” has appeared on Australian screens for more than two years now and is relevant to the footy culture that most of us have grown up with our entire life.
A young man talks about how his mate has recovered from his gambling addiction that had controlled his life. “About 2 years ago, I lost my best mate. We all missed him.
Good clubman. Top Bloke.
One day about 6 months ago, he came back. He’d got help, even got his job back… and his gambling hasn’t interfered with his life since.”
Not just the public, but AFL players have taken a while to publically admit they are facing these private demons and David Schwarz is one man who is renowned for curbing his gambling addiction.
He starred for the Melbourne footy club but retired in 2002 impoverished and facing a $4 million gambling debt, that had spiralled out of control over his ten year career with the Demons.
“My biggest regret is I remember more about the punt than I can about my football career,” Schwarz said.
“I couldn’t tell you much about the games I played, but I could tell you who won the 1996 Cox Plate, and that’s disgraceful.”
Schwarz had placed his last bet on 3rd May 2005 from his garage on the day of his son’s christening – He lost $1000.
Finally in 2007, Schwarz cleared his remaining debt of $655,000 and has sworn he has not and will not get on the punt again. Suggesting that he places loose change into son Cooper’s money box, goes camping over the spring carnival and plays golf on a Saturday afternoon when he isn’t commentating.
“It’s the hardest thing to do, accept you have an illness and an addiction, admit they are sick.”
“If you’re stuck at home while your mates are out having fun because you’ve blown your money on gambling, then it’s time to stop and think because you’re gambling’s stopping you from enjoying your life.”
Brisbane Lion Brendan Fevola also announced that he too has been suffering from a gambling addiction earlier this year. The extent of Fevola’s gambling wasn’t as severe at Schwarz but it put the star forward in debt up to $200,000.
The vast majority of people, in all forms of gambling can enjoy it responsibly. But it’s those who can’t that are affected by the constant reminders of gambling within society today.
The AFLPA are putting measures in place to limit gambling problems amongst AFL players.
I wish, too, that Channel 9 and The Footy Show re-consider their sponsor contracts with SportsBet and maybe look at the good work of other organisations that don’t involve potentially tearing families and lives apart.
Who’s in your ultimate team? Pick the best team and compete with other fans for daily prizes on Draftstars. For the best odds on the game try out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Think. Is this a bet you really want to place? Set a deposit limit.