Alcohol and gambling ads 'deeply embedded' in NRL and AFL
Every NRL and AFL club has an alcohol sponsor this season while every NRL and five AFL clubs are sponsored by gambling companies, a new report has found.
A new report from the Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education (FARE) reveals that every NRL and AFL club has an alcohol sponsor this season, with gambling companies sponsoring every NRL club and five of the eight AFL clubs. The deals, worth tens of millions of dollars annually, contribute to the leagues' lucrative income streams, which are then used to fuel sports betting.
SportsBet, a major sponsor for both codes, operates under substantial yearly sponsorships for the NRL and AFL. As politicians debate the need for stricter regulations, FARE's research highlights that alcohol and gambling sponsorships are "deeply embedded across every level" of Australia's two largest sporting codes, extending into women's competitions.
Despite the criticism of Labor's proposed crackdown on gambling ads, which includes limits on TV, radio, and jerseys, the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) is set to decide on restricting alcohol ads during broadcasts soon. Critics argue that gambling and alcohol ads exacerbate family and domestic violence, urging the government to implement comprehensive reforms.
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