Cricket NSW partners with ‘Gamble Aware’ to ban gambling ads at grounds
Gambling ads won’t appear at any grounds where NSW Big Bash League games are held this season, after Cricket NSW (CNSW) announced a new two-year partnership with the NSW Office of Responsible Gambling.
The ‘Gamble Aware’ partnership covers mens and womens teams from the state including the NSW Blues, NSW Breakers, Sydney Sixers and Sydney Thunder.
Gambling ads are also banned on free-to-air TV broadcasts during and within 30 minutes of matches, with the $260,000 partnership seeing Gamble Aware take up Presenting Partner rights to one Thunder and one Sixers match this season.
The partnership announcement comes during Gamble Aware Week, a NSW Government initiative to increase awareness of gambling and gambling harm in the community.
CNSW CEO Lee Germon said the sporting organisation is excited to continue work toward countering the normalisation of sports betting.
“We are a purpose and values-based organisation and we are very happy to be able to partner with another organisation that brings a high level of social responsibility,” Germon said.
“Our clubs offer a family-friendly environment and the stance we have taken to say no to partnerships with sports betting or gambling businesses aligns directly with that family first platform.
“The fact we are also able to provide education to our staff and players about responsible gambling helps in our objective of being a values-driven organisation.”
The partnership will also see Gamble Aware providing gambling awareness sessions to CNSW staff and players.
John Dalzell, chair of the Responsible Gambling Fund, said Cricket NSW is taking a leadership role to reduce the pressure young people feel about gambling.
“Young people are under immense pressure to fit in and are more likely to take up gambling if they consider it to be a normal part of sport and they assume that everyone’s doing it.”
“Having matches free of gambling advertising means families can reclaim the game and go back to enjoying sport without the concern that children are being constantly exposed to sports betting promotions.
“It will remove the assumption that gambling is a normal part of cricket and it will refocus attention back on the game and the players; the way it should be.”
Cricket NSW has previously held partnerships with the government targeting road safety issues including speeding and drink driving.