Almost one third of Victoria's sports betters are men aged 18-24 who've grown up believing footy and gambling are intrinsically linked.
Last year, Australia's gambling industry spent $232 million on ads, excluding sponsorships and in-program content.
Ads that create unrealisttic expectations and encourage people to think that betting is normal.
For many of us, the AFL fixture 'bonanza' represents a bright light during a difficult time. For bookmakers though, it's an oppportunity to make up for 'lost' revenue. Sports betting ads targetting young men dominate our airways after 8:30 PM- but let's not kid ourselves, they're also being consumed by children. Victoria's 10 AFL clubs have made a commitment to say no to sports betting sponsorshipand to limit the exposure of young people to this risky activity. I urge the community to get behind them- to love the game, not the odds.
Shane Lucas, CEO Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation