It seems betting scandals in the AFL are becoming so frequent they are losing their scandalous appeal. Last weekend, at least $20,000 was won, after an out of the ordinary bet was placed on Gold Coast defender Nathan Bock, to kick the first goal in Saturday’s match against Hawthorn.
Coincidentally, Bock started in the forward line and kicked his second goal this season. AFL integrity officer Brett Clothier is investigating.
Only a week prior, Essendon assistant coach Dean Wallis was caught placing a $200 wager on an AFL game, not involving Essendon. Clothier is again investigating, working hard for his wage this season.
Turn back the clock to Collingwood defender Heath Shaw’s 14-week ban (six suspended) in Round 9.
He was fined $20,000 for a $10 bet on captain Nick Maxwell to kick the first goal against Adelaide. Maxwell was also fined $5000 for telling family members he would line up in the forward line.
The AFL was determined Shaw’s harsh penalty would serve as a warning to players, staff and officials of the AFL that betting on matches is prohibited. I suppose the warning simply wasn’t strong enough.
Like many, it baffles me that people involved in the AFL think they can escape betting restrictions. Just how many warning signs does the AFL need to realise things need to be changed?
In an open letter on gambling, written in October last year, Adrian Anderson explained actions taken by the AFL ensuring the ‘integrity of the game’ is maintained.
‘We have for the first time registered all football staff of AFL clubs (well over 1000 people) to ensure we are aware who all of our participants are and that they are bound by the same rules as players.’
Sure, you can check off your list, but these rules are not making a difference. People who shouldn’t be betting on the AFL are – either because they don’t care about being caught or they have a serious problem and are willing to take the risk.
The AFL must act to regulate advertising of gambling agencies during, after and before games. The AFL have strict implications for players, coaches and staff of the AFL not to place bets, yet they maintain strong corporate relationships with TAB Sportsbet and Betfair.
This is hypocrisy at its finest.
The revenue of betting in AFL matches equates to $300 million a year, and is growing. Gambling is a problem in Australia, and should not be so openly endorsed by the AFL.
It goes without saying that when I turn on my TV to watch my beloved Roo Boys, I will come across a gambling advertisement that will comically ridicule the male stereotype and use humour to gently push me to visit their website and ‘win big’. The same applies when I turn on the radio.
Heck, the same applies when I am physically present at a game.
Huge signs are slapped around the boundary fences of AFL ovals. Before the game, a commentator will inform me of each teams odds. During the game, live, head-to-head odds are advertised on the screen.
AFL media coverage is saturated with betting agency advertisements.
In fairness, Demetriou has expressed his concern and decided that the MCG will end live betting updates on scoreboards before matches and during each quarter break.
But so far, this agreement has only been reached for the MCG. More action is needed.
I never thought I’d say this, but Jeff Kennett has hit the nail on the head (September 4, Sun Herald Sun ‘All Bets are off’).
‘Football fans are being bombarded with betting information in all forms of the media, saying it, sends the wrong message to young supporters’, Kennett said.
Gambling agencies are ruining our sport. Can’t we enjoy our great game without the thrill of having something riding on a win? Isn’t the athleticism and skill of these fit athletes enough?
Gambling is a vicious circle. Addicted gamblers are given little refuge when watching or listening to the AFL.
A zero tolerance approach is taken by the AFL when it comes to players and staff, betting on matches, so why isn’t there zero tolerance for advertising?
If the AFL really wanted to stop betting scandals from tarnishing the ‘integrity of the game’, they would end their sponsorship with these agencies all together. But the AFL reaps huge financial gain from advertising deals with betting agencies.
Maybe I’m being unrealistic in saying that gambling agencies should be banned from the AFL. But surely it’s possible to downgrade them.
Wake up AFL, you too are getting caught in the downward spiral of money hungry addiction.
Twitter: @liana_neri
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