Sports activities betting and playing adverts are all over the place, attempting to make playing look like a protected, straightforward option to generate profits. Right here’s why that’s an issue – and what’s being performed about it.
Info and stats for context
Supply: hereforthegame.com.au
- From 2005 to 2019, the quantity misplaced on sports activities betting per yr elevated from $1.98 million to $8.25 million.
- In 2022, playing and wager firms spent $310 million on promoting in Australia.
- 75% of youngsters aged 8-16 can identify a number of sports activities betting firms.
- 32% of sports activities bettors in SA gamble at dangerous ranges in comparison with 27% of poker machine gamers, and 12% of gamblers usually.
It goes on…
- 60% of South Australians imagine betting on sports activities is a standard a part of life.
- 78% of South Australians are involved by how a lot sports activities betting promoting kids are uncovered to, and 84% agreed that it makes children suppose that playing on sport is regular.
- Lower than 38% of South Australians felt knowledgeable sufficient to speak to kids in regards to the dangers of sports activities playing, and solely 20% have.
The correlation between sports activities betting ads and cash spent playing is obvious; as the quantity spent by sports activities playing firms on promoting goes up, so too does the cash misplaced on sports activities betting. What’s additionally clear is the hyperlink between the prominence of sports activities betting ads and younger individuals’s recognition of it – or worse, participation.
So what’s being performed about it?
By way of its Right here For The Recreation initiative, the Division of Human Providers’ (DHS) Workplace for Downside Playing (delivered by the South Australian Authorities) is asking out the dangers of sports activities betting, educating communities, and saying no to sports activities betting sponsorships.
Right here For The Recreation is about getting South Aussies on top of things on the huge development in sports activities betting losses and promoting spending, and offering schooling on the way it can doubtlessly hurt you, your children, your loved ones and your mates. This system additionally gives recommendation on how one can shield your self and family members from the damaging points of sports activities betting.
We chat to Right here For The Recreation ambassador Anne Hatchard
Anne Hatchard is a three-time Premiership participant with the Adelaide Soccer Membership. She’s additionally a two-time Adelaide Soccer Membership champion, secured All Australian choice in 2019 – and earned these honours once more in 2020 – and broke the report for probably the most disposals in a sport. She’s additionally a Right here For The Recreation ambassador.
“It’s changing into nearly regular to children as of late, they’re seeing sports activities betting adverts all over the place,” the AFLW celebrity says. “We’re attempting to deliver it again to why we come to sports activities video games – we’re for the sport, for the ambiance.”
This mission to assist younger sports activities followers rediscover the actual causes we love sport – Motion! Drama! Neighborhood! Pleasure! – is what Right here For The Recreation is all about. “It will be superior to have the ability to make a distinction, to indicate individuals you may have enjoyable at a sport with out playing,” she says. Due to ambassadors like herself, and initiatives like Right here For The Recreation, change is within the air.
Nevertheless it’s additionally as much as sports activities golf equipment and oldsters of younger children to drive necessary conversations, Anne says. “Golf equipment must drive it themselves by making partnerships and exhibiting their followers that there are methods to benefit from the footy with out playing,” she says. Training can also be key to highlighting the dangers to younger individuals. “Having the ability to have open conversations with children, to indicate them what playing can result in as a substitute of beating across the bush, is one of the best ways,” Anne says.
The right way to speak to your children in regards to the dangers of sports activities betting
Earlier than you could have the speak, think about your personal behaviour. Might your playing habits be influencing the youngsters in your life? As soon as you’re feeling ready to reply any questions on your personal betting (don’t put it previous them, children don’t miss a beat), begin the dialog by discovering out how a lot they already know. This can information the remainder of your chat. Ask how they really feel about sports activities betting, whether or not they’re conscious of any dangers, and the way it impacts their enjoyment of the sport.
For extra tips about the best way to speak to your children in regards to the dangers of sports activities betting, a bunch of sources can be found right here.
Get entangled!
Are you a part of a sports activities membership and all in favour of becoming a member of Right here For The Recreation? Discover out how one can become involved.
Do you want assist proper now? Cellphone 1800 858 858 or go to gamblinghelponline.org.au. Assist is out there 24 hours a day, seven days per week.
