Ex-Premier League star calls for gambling sponsorship ban

Former Premier League forward Hal Robson-Kanu has thrown his weight behind a gambling sponsorship ban in football as the white paper into the Gambling Act 2005 looms. Robson-Kanu, who played in the top flight with Reading and West Brom, lashed out at reports from The Times that plans for a gambling sponsorship ban are set to be scrapped by Gambling Minister Chris Philp in a major surprise. Reports earlier this week claimed the sponsorship ban and mandatory 1% levy to combat gambling-related harm were both off the table, despite heavy backing for both policies. However, The Guardian suggests the issue isn’t cut and dry, and there is still leeway in the white paper, which should arrive by mid-July. Posting on LinkedIn, the Welshman said if gambling sponsorship could continue in football, it would have a severe impact on young children and those at risk from gambling harm. He said: “Gambling sponsorships within football has to be stopped. Self-regulation on advertising has resulted in 700 gambling ads in one Premier League match and now a proposed ban on betting firms becoming the shirt sponsors of British football clubs is set to be scrapped.” “Sponsorships advocating gambling are outdated and irresponsible, an[d] action like this would lead to more harm and more deaths – something we can’t let happen. We have a responsibility to protect our young people from dangerous behaviours that can have such a disastrous impact on their lives,” he added. Almost half of the 20 Premier League teams were sponsored by gambling operators last season, including West Ham, Leeds and Newcastle. In preparation for a potential ban, some clubs have already dropped their gambling sponsors, with Crystal Palace and Wolves the biggest names to do so ahead of the new season in August. However, intense lobbying from football clubs and the industry may well result in a significant victory for gambling firms. In fact, Premier League sides Bournemouth and Everton have both inked front-of-shirt sponsorship agreements with gambling companies, while Championship newcomers Sunderland AFC have put pen to paper on a deal with Spreadex. In Everton’s case, this was met with much furore from fans, with more than 20,000 signing an online petition asking the club to ditch Stake.com as the principal partner.