New campaign against gambling ads in football edges closer to 50,000 signatures
Support swells for multiple campaigns across UK taking aim to stop all gambling advertising in football as new season begins
A campaign set up by Gambling With Lives (GWL) campaign group, Football Supporters Against Gambling Ads, is approaching 50,000 cumulative signatures.
The group, which was set up in November 2021, aims to eradicate all forms of gambling advertising in football and has garnered further support as the domestic season kicks off in the UK.
The petition covers 29 local campaigns across teams in the Premier League, Championship and League One, as well as the top two clubs in Scotland, Celtic and Rangers.
The individual petition with the highest signatures is one set up by Everton fans demanding the club cut ties with its newest front-of-shirt sponsor Stake.com.
The petition has just over 30,000 signatures and was set up by Everton season ticket holder Ben Melvin, who has previously suffered from gambling addiction.
He said: “The partnership does not sit right with the club’s motto, the standards the club sets off the pitch and the fantastic work done by the club’s Everton In The Community in tackling mental health issues.
“I didn’t anticipate the petition to get to the level it has, and I realise Everton may not change their decision, but I want them to know how many people have signed it and understand how some fans feel,” he added.
This group is run by The Big Step, who want to bring to an end all gambling advertising in football and have signed up multiple Football League and non-league clubs to their cause, with the most recent one being Isthmian League and fan-owned club Enfield Town.
These campaigns are part of the wider push by the football world to bring to an end gambling advertising and sponsorship in the sport.
The Premier League recently called on clubs to vote in favour of a voluntary ban on gambling shirt sponsorship, but this vote has been delayed until a new Prime Minister is elected in September.
Brighton chairman Tony Bloom recently came out in favour of the ban, citing the need to protect children as a paramount factor.