New research from GambleAware, the leading charity and strategic commissioner of gambling harms prevention and treatment services in Great Britain, has revealed concerns about gambling advertising from the public and football fans.

Research from the Football Supporters Association has found that three quarters of football fans (73%) are concerned about the amount of gambling advertising and sponsorship around football and two thirds (66%) believe that gambling sponsorship in football should be banned.

Further research released by GambleAware has also revealed the majority of the public are unhappy with the level of gambling advertising in the media, with two in three (67%) saying they feel there is too much gambling advertising, and a similar number (66%) concerned about the impact the advertising has on children.

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Research conducted for the 2022 World Cup, the last major men’s football tournament before this year, also found that two in three (64%) football fans said they believe there are too many gambling advertisements in football and 61% said they feel there are too many gambling ads during international sports tournaments.

The charity also warns that the high level of gambling advertising seen around major sporting tournaments this summer may exacerbate gambling harms among those already experiencing gambling problems. Other figures in the new research show those experiencing harm from gambling are 40 times more likely to spend more money and time gambling as a result of seeing gambling ads, compared to those who gamble without any problems.

GambleAware’s new report, “Gambling marketing in Great Britain: What needs to change and why,” also includes recommendations for new regulations around gambling advertising:

• A ban on gambling marketing at sports events including the removal of sponsorships from sports clothing, merchandise and wider stadium areas.
• A pre-watershed ban on all broadcast gambling advertising on TV, Video On Demand and radio, including broadcast sponsorships.
• For all gambling marketing to include independent evidence-led health warnings with effective signposting to support.

Zoë Osmond, Chief Executive of GambleAware, said: “Millions of people across the country have been coming together this summer, excited to watch the Euros. However, our research shows that most of them feel there is too much gambling advertising in the media and around football.

“Exposure to gambling advertising normalises gambling, and makes it seem like just ‘harmless fun’ without showing the risks of gambling addiction and harm. This is why we have published our new report, to call on the next government to do more to regulate gambling advertising, particularly around sport where children and young people can see it.

“Anyone who feels worried about gambling during the Euros, or at any time, can get free and confidential advice, tools and support by searching GambleAware or contacting the National Gambling Helpline, available 24/7, on 0808 8020 133. The National Gambling Support Network also has treatment providers across Great Britain who can help people stop gambling.”

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David Rose, Deputy Chief Executive of the Football Supporters’ Association, said: “Our survey data shows a large majority of fans are concerned about the prevalence of gambling advertising around football, whether that’s shirt sponsors, pitchside hoardings or on TV coverage. Our partnership with GambleAware helps us to highlight those concerns, and allows us to show supporters where they can get help if they feel like their gambling has become a problem.”

Craig, who experienced gambling harms for a number of years, said: “As someone who has experienced gambling harm, watching football can be difficult as it has often been really intertwined with my gambling. There is lots of shirt sponsorship and gambling signs on pitch side advertising in the stadiums, which you can clearly see when watching on TV at home. Much more needs to be done to help protect people from experiencing the same problems I did, and more regulation on gambling advertising in sport is urgently needed.”

Michelle, whose son has experienced harm from gambling, said: “Having seen how gambling has affected my son over the years, I know first-hand the serious impact it can have on individuals and families alike. Sporting events and international tournaments should be a time of enjoyment, but instead people are being bombarded by gambling ads that can cause serious harm. It’s time more is done to limit gambling advertising to protect people – especially children and young people – from gambling harm.”

‘The Chase Place’ will feature exclusive games, content, and a bespoke Crack the Code competition where consumers can enter to win money-can’t-buy The Chase themed prizes

Entain owned bingo brand Gala Bingo has launched ‘The Chase Place’, a new and exclusive online hub in partnership with ITV’s The Chase. Live on 1st July, this campaign celebrates Gala Bingo’s successful long-running official sponsorship of the flagship ITV game show as it enters its eighth year.

‘The Chase Place’ landing page hosted on the Gala Bingo website will offer players exclusive games and content, including slots, ‘slingo’, bingo, and new live game, all based on one of ITV’s most popular game shows, The Chase. The online hub will also host a blockbuster competition which will be live for three weeks in July, offering gamers the chance to win major money-can’t-buy The Chase themed prizes, only available through The Chase Place.

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The competition will run with a ‘crack the code’ mechanic in which videos of popular Chasers will appear on a dedicated landing page. Emulating The Chase, users will be presented with multiple-choice general knowledge questions. Players will then need to use their chosen answers to form a unique code; if the questions have been answered correctly to form the right code, the player will be entered into the prize draw for a chance to win. There will be a new series of questions uploaded each week for three weeks, giving players multiple chances to enter and win The Chase themed prizes.

First prize is an exclusive all expenses paid The Chase studio tour and meet and greet with a Chaser. The lucky runner up will win the opportunity to have a Chaser on their quiz team at the ‘Gala Bingo x The Chase Ultimate Quiz Night’ event which will be hosted in Manchester in August. Additional prizes include Gala rewards such as bingo tickets and free spins.

Gala Bingo will be promoting the competition and its unique prizes across multiple platforms, including digital and print advertising. The nationwide campaign will culminate with an in-person PR activation for the partnership, ‘Gala Bingo x The Chase Ultimate Quiz Night’. The event will be a bookable experience held in Manchester on 8th
August, offering consumers the chance to test their knowledge against a Chaser. With Anne Hegerty, Mark Labbett and Jenny Ryan in attendance, the prize winner will have a Chaser on their quiz team, whilst consumers will be able to interact with the other Chasers.

Sara Jolly, Head of Brand at Gala Bingo says: “We believe people that love The Chase will also love Gala Bingo, and the new ‘The Chase Place’ presents opportunities for us to reach a significant UK audience, and offer unique experiences for fans of the show that aren’t available anywhere else.

We are delighted to be working with ITV to bring the latest element of our partnership to life through ‘The Chase Place’. The Chase is an iconic show in the UK and we hope that our players, both old and new, will enjoy playing all the new themed games on the site, including cracking the code to enter our competition for a chance to win some incredible prizes.”

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Steve Watling, SVP Gaming, ITV Studios Global Partnerships, commented: “ITV’s partnership with Gala Bingo, Entain and The Chase, has been a long running success story. We are delighted to see the new Chase Live game and Gala’s showcase destination at The Chase Place with the chance for players to win amazing The Chase themed prizes. The Chase is on!’

The Chase Place is already live at https://promo.galabingo.com/en/promo/p/home-of-the-chase. The Crack the Code competition will be open for consumers to enter from 1st July 00:01am to 22nd July 2024 11:59pm. Competition entrants must be over the age of 18. UK & ROI. For T&Cs please see https://promo.galabingo.com/en/promo/p/the-chase.

LeoVegas Group’s newly launched international sportsbook brand BetMGM has entered into a new three-year partnership with Tottenham Hotspur Football Club, branding the Premier League club’s training wear. The partnership, LeoVegas Group’s third Premier League partnership deal in just a week, will significantly boost the Group’s visibility and showcase its hero sportsbook brand BetMGM to millions of football fans across the world.

LeoVegas Group and Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur F.C. have today announced their new 3-year partnership deal that will see the Group’s newly launched sportsbook brands BetMGM become the men’s and women’s club’s Official Betting Partner, as well as the Official Front of Training Wear Partner of Tottenham Hotspur Football Club. As Official Partner, BetMGM will prominently feature on media backdrops and the men’s training kit during Premier League, domestic cup, and European fixtures. Additionally, the brand will be regularly highlighted on pitch-side LEDs at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, the largest club stadium in London, on stadium big screens, and on IPTV.

The partnership will enable increased awareness and reach of the Group’s sportsbook brand BetMGM, which was recently launched in the UK and the Netherlands. Customers and fans can expect to be included in exciting partnership events, including unique experiences for fans and giveaways.

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Sam Behar, UK Director BetMGM, said “We are very proud to launch this partnership with Spurs as their progressive spirit fully aligns with BetMGM’s ambitions. This is our third Premier League deal in just a week, and we look forward to kicking off this exciting season as we continue to grow BetMGM’s presence in the world of sports.”  

Ryan Norys, Chief Revenue Officer at Tottenham Hotspur, said “We are delighted to announce this partnership with BetMGM. The Club and BetMGM’s values align exceptionally well through a competitive spirit, whilst also continuing to strive for greatness.

“BetMGM has demonstrated it is putting its customers first by continuously developing its product offering to fans. Throughout this partnership, we are looking to help BetMGM further establish itself in the UK market, as well as enhancing customers’ knowledge around responsible gambling.”

The new Premier League club deal marks LeoVegas Group’s third in a week, underscoring a significant milestone in the strategy to amplify its focus on sports. Over recent years, the Group has entered into several strategic partnerships, most recently with Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. and Newcastle United F.C.