GambleAware pens education partnership with Football Supporters Association
New survey finds only 13% of supporters would be happy for their club to have a gambling sponsor
GambleAware has agreed an education-led partnership with the Football Supporters Association (FSA) after a recent survey showed growing levels of concern about gambling among football fans.
The agreement will see the partners will run several educational initiatives at football matches, designed to raise awareness of gambling-related harm amongst fans.
The initiatives will include a nationwide 5-a-side football tournament, together with a live tour featuring ex-professional footballers, who will educate supporters about the need for safer gambling.
“It’s clear fans want their clubs to do more on educating their supporters about the risks of gambling,” said Kevin Miles, chief executive for the Football Supporters’ Association
“Alongside GambleAware we’ll be pushing clubs, particularly those with prominent gambling sponsors, to do better.”
The partnership follows a joint survey of 1,200 supporters which found only 10% of fans believe their football clubs are doing enough to encourage safe betting and providing education about the risks of gambling.
Only 13% of respondents to the survey felt they would be happy for their football club to be sponsored by a gambling firm.
Eighty-four percent of fans responding to the survey felt individual player sponsorships by gambling operators should be ended, due to the impact of such exposure to gambling firms by younger fans.
In addition, 88% of fans felt with the increased opportunity to bet on football, it was becoming easier than ever to make an impulsive bet.
Miles said football clubs were unlike any other business because as they have a duty of care to fans.