I wish this whole article was a joke but it isn’t. The influence of gambling on sport has increased in recent years, but the two are now so intertwined it is hard to tell where one starts and the other begins.
The NRL – in its official app – now has gambling odds as part of its coverage. That should change right now.
Having gambling information in such an accessible manner is purely irresponsible. Kids downloading this app to know their teams results, squads and ladder placings should not see gambling odds.
This however is part of a more major issue. The large gambling companies are the main proponents of gambling advertising, and are pushing gambling odds more and more into the forefront of sporting coverage.
In my view, gambling odds should be banned from being aired during any live sports event and ads for gambling should be banned also. The only exception is horse racing, as horse racing and gambling are historically related. Gambling is a major part of horse racing.
However, I think families should be able to watch any rugby league or other football match and not have gambling odds come up at all. I’ve watched over 50 NHL ice hockey games. Not once did I see any form of sports betting ads. That should be the case in all games of Australian sport.
Families want to watch a match live without seeing gambling ads. The fact we still have them is ridiculous.
Sports gambling advertising should be banned due to the fact it can influence people, with kids thinking that gambling is a normal and accepted part of supporting sporting teams.
If it’s not, then we will deal with the consequences of the acts and perhaps have the current kids later on picking a team due to them having the best gambling odds, not because they are they’re favourite team.
Gambling and sport should be separated, particularly in free-to-air coverage.
Muzz
Guest
I'm not trying to convince you. Live and let live, Sleiman. I don't like ballet.However, i'm not going to tell people that enjoy it that there wasting their time and money. The more interests/hobbies you have in life the better.
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
Or perhaps a bus and train ride to the beach to watch the ocean? Good for the soul, they say. Sorry Muzz, I just can't be convinced of the merits of gambling simply because I do not see any.
Muzz
Guest
If you outlay $10 on a multi bet and lose 9/10 times you've still had your fun and haven't broken the bank.You know like when you go to the Movies and have to pay to get in.It's how an economy works. Perhaps the old pensioners should give away the Pokies and try Rock Climbing or Bungee jumping and get more bang for their buck.
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
I do.
Muzz
Guest
Keep changing the channel when Joel Caine comes on. That'll work!
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
Sure. I can see how placing a bet might make watching sports more interesting. But what else is there with that bet, given that it is designed so that you lose it? Now let's get the kids involved. Big Brother has spoken.
mushi
Guest
So bookies exist because of taxes? Bookies are a tax unfortunately one that is typically levied on the poor
mushi
Guest
Lets allow hand grenades at schools after all if you look hard enough you can make them from instructions on the net!
Muzz
Guest
If placing a $10 multi bet on a round of footy which adds another dimension to your viewing pleasure is nothing then so are most of the other things we do for entertainment. Go to your local Leagues/RSL/Sailing Club and tell those old retirees that aren't as mobile as they use to be and enjoy putting $20 through the pokies that their wasting their time and what there doing is dumb.Tell them to go for a run or something thats better for them. The fun Police has spoken.
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
You're right, you can't ban every little thing that could be potentially dangerous. But you can stop plastering TV shows with ads designed to lure people into an absolute nothing. At the very least, cars - their manufacture, usage, technological research etc - contribute to a society. The dangers of cars, while tragically affecting those involved, do not dumb down a society. I'm not sure the same could be said of gambling.
Muzz
Guest
I try and get my points across a little differently as it bores me to read the same things over and over. What i'm trying to say is that we can't outlaw everything that potentially could be dangerous otherwise life would be ship boring.How many people die on our roads each year yet there are no articles suggesting that we should sever all ties with Holden, Toyota, Ford etc. I like to ride big waves and my 10 year old wants to do the same one day so where into intensive swimming, breath hold training etc.If she shows an interest in having a little punt when she's older enough i'll explain the pitfalls so she doesn't have to find out the hard way. Each to their own but i don't parent by wrapping my kids up in cotton wool. BTW - Have the Dogs started training yet? They looked fat and slow in the 9's : )
The Barry
Roar Guru
Muzz - can't quite work out if you are tongue in cheek or not? Your point was made above as well. Yes we should be teaching kids to be good drivers. Are you suggesting that we should be teaching kids to be good punters?
tim
Guest
"Gambling is a major part of horse racing." That's an understatement. Take gambling out of the industry and it would shut down within 24 hours.
Muzz
Guest
Shall we outlaw car commercials and sponsorship too whilst where at it OR is it better to educate the generation of drivers and punters? Gamble and drive responsibly and never do both at the same time although they do make it quite easy.
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
A quote from Sigmund Freud: Gambling is a form of self-punishment, arising from Oedipal conflict. Compulsive gambling was a substitute for masturbation. If Siggy is correct, I know a heap of wankers. .
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
It's nuts, right.
Benedict Arnold
Guest
Gamble gamble gamble. Please gamble. Here are the odds. Oh, and gamble responsibly.
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
Asko, It is one thing to have the parameters in place and a sophisticated motoring system linked to 500 bookies world wide, but it is useless if you do not have someone with the expertise to look at a screen and "smell a rat". You are not going to get that skill from your friendly Head Hunter so in the interim the NRL will be re-active after the horse has bolted, although they should be able to get some intel from the bookies.
Von Neumann
Roar Guru
Its not that. Tho others were tasteful. Waterboy was a slimeball peddling a drug. He also posed as a commentator. I am sure there is some form of class distinction there, but waterboy failed because he got it all mixed up. It was convoluted and insidious. At least with the other mob there's some degree of separation and they dont completely dance around as if gambling is the number one priority of anyones existence. The last thing that remains, and I agree with the article, is that there needs to be even MORE separation between gambling and sport. This is no different to the lolly and chocolate ads in kids shows thing. This gambling thing is also like handing a bottle of vodka to a alcoholic while they are drunk. We should not allow marketing to weak/vulnerable/primed people. Its taking advantage. __ And here we are saying gambling is fine, we just dont want it rammed down our noses; and due to integrity issues, we don't like to see money leveraged during sports broadcasts - the kids/society is a secondary-causal, yet equally important issue.
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
I'd suggest banning it, but it would create a more sinister underground culture. In my view, it's a case of better the devil you know. Watching the tennis final, I noted the lack of gambling advertising. League still has a way to go to.