EFL Chairman Rick Parry says that it would financially ‘catastrophic’ if gambling sponsorships were terminated immediately, reports Simon Stone of BBC Sport. In 2018, 17 out of the 24 EFL Championship clubs were sponsored by bookmakers, and have been a vital source of income within the division for many years.
The frequency of gambling sponsorships within the EFL have rocketed in the last 15 years, since the 2005 Gambling Act seemingly normalised the concept within professional sport even further.
This notion of limiting and restricting the number of bookmakers in such a widely consumed market, has become an increasing public health concern. In the past, sport has strayed away from such ‘unhealthy’ sponsorship deal, with Alcohol deals being limited and Tobacco companies being prohibited from Sport association. It now seems that the betting industry could be following suit, in some capacity.
Loss of Gambling Sponsorships Would Be Financially Catastrophic Says Rick Parry
Gambling Sponsorships Provide Major Revenue Stream in Time of Need
There seems to be an increase in concerns during this pandemic about the issues that surround gambling in sport. From the EFL’s perspective, this is all very untimely. The gambling sector contributes £40 million to the EFL and its clubs and is subsequently a source that the organisation wants to protect.
The added pressure of the pandemic, means that gambling sponsorships are as important as ever. The obvious loss in income through gate receipts and other commercial match-day income means that the loss of association with betting companies could be disastrous.
Attempts to Promote Safer Gambling
With the EFL and associated gambling companies under constant scrutiny around their relationship, there have been and there currently are, attempts to promote responsible gambling. A recent example of this is Sky Bet’s promotion of safe betting ‘through a highly visible awareness and education campaign’.
Despite these measures, the concerns remain. Now the EFL are in a position, where they are almost relying on such income. Some individual clubs have also voiced their desire to stray away from these sponsorship deals, but given the financial uncertainty that this pandemic has caused, this income will be vital.
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