Poll results: FA decision on Ladbrokes unlikely to hurt relationship between sports and betting companies

Operators should not be concerned by the FA’s decision to end its betting partnership with Ladbrokes, according to a majority of voters on this week’s poll

A little over 57% of respondents said the decision would have little impact on future partnerships between the betting industry and sporting organisations.

Key to that thinking is the unique standing of the FA, as is the judge and jury on betting-related issues in the sport (the Joey Barton case for example). The body said it felt uncomfortable having a betting partner in that role, which would not apply for most betting/sports partnerships.

And indeed, in the week since the decision, Norwich City and Crystal Palace announced deals with betting operators, taking the total number of Premier League teams playing with a gambling sponsor on their shirt to 12.

That said, 43% of respondents said the FA decision was a cause for concern, and there are indeed some situations that could still be affected. The Scottish FA, for instance, has come under pressure to reconsider its relationship with gambling that has seen betting brands applied to the nation’s three major trophies.

Regulus Partners also said in an analyst note: “Other sports (some of which are already wary of any association with the betting industry for brand and cultural reasons) may be reconsidering their own positions. It is not inconceivable, for example, that the ongoing review of integrity in tennis may be expanded to address the question of gambling sponsorship.”