Concerns raised overs sports gambling relationships

The shadow sports minister has raised concerns that he believes footballs relationship with the gambling industry is ‘out of control’. The criticism comes following the involvement of an online casino in the recent move by Wayne Rooney to Derby County as a player-coach.  

As a result of a recent agreement by 32Red, Rooney will wear the number 32 on his Derby shirt when he officially joins them in January. The owner of Derby County, Mel Morris, confirmed that the Gibraltar based betting firm had offered an improved, club-record sponsorship deal on the back of Rooney joining the club.  

Whilst raising concerns of this issue in particular, the Labour Party has confirmed that if it is elected, it will seek to ban the advertising of gambling on football shirts. The shadow sports minister, Rosena Allin-Khan, has told the times that the latest move by 32Red was a significant development and should amount to concern.

In the comments, which were made to The Times, she stated that: “The industry keep telling us that they are committed to reducing the amount of gambling advertising in football. And yet this season there will actually be an increase in the number of football clubs sponsored by gambling companies.

“This relationship is now so out of control; we are seeing the names of players becoming synonymous with gambling brands. The apparent sponsorship of Wayne Rooney’s move to Derby County has taken things to a whole new level. It is time to reclaim our game — starting with a total overhaul of gambling advertising during matches.”

This season, half of the 20 Premier League clubs will have gambling companies as their official shirt sponsors and so do over half of those in the Sky Bet Championship. 

This follows the FA’s recent introduction of a new rule which prevents players from being involved in audio or video advertising for betting companies. They can, however, still be involved in print advertising.  

In addition, betting firms have also been banned from advertising on the strips of junior arms of teams. A move that is said to be the result of questionable overseas behaviour by some firms that is said to entice young people and children into gambling poverty.  

An independent sports marketing expect, Time Crow, has told The Times that he expects most betting strips to be banned within the next five years.

The record goal scorer for Manchester United, Rooney will officially join Derby on the 1^st of January.