The Illawarra Hawks join Sydney Kings and Flames in saying no to gambling sponsorship

Australia World

The Illawarra Hawks NBL team has drawn a line in the sand on gambling advertising in sport.

The Hawks have joined fellow NBL clubs the Sydney Kings and Sydney Flames to reject sports betting sponsorships and reduce the amount of gambling advertising at venues under a partnership with the NSW government’s Reclaim the Game program.

Launched in 2020, the program also has support in other major sporting codes, including cricket, AFL, NRL and soccer.  

‘Taking a stand’

Illawarra Hawks chief executive Stu Taggart said he did not want the club to have associations with gambling.

Man holding basketball in front of sponsorships

Illawarra Hawks CEO Stu Taggart is hoping the decision will shift the culture.(Supplied: Illawarra Hawks)

“As a club, we’re taking a stand to try and reduce the impact that has become normalised through gambling,” he said.

Mr Taggart said the sports gambling industry would face pressure following a societal shift away from sports betting.

“There are major impacts from gambling,” he said.   

Of great concern was the effect sport gambling had on young people, with fears some believed it was a normal part of watching sport.

Reclaim the Game has found that nearly 50 per cent of 12 to 17-year-olds saw gambling advertising on TV during sports and racing on a weekly basis.

Mr Taggart hoped the Hawks’ move away from gambling advertising would shift the culture. 

“Adults have the right to gamble and we respect that, but as a club we believe this will bring a safe and inclusive environment,” he said.

Highlighting ‘vile behaviour’

The Sydney Kings made its own stance after player Shaun Bruce was subjected to “horrendous” abuse following a basketball game from an angry punter several years ago.

A male basketball player bounces the ball as he plays against two defenders in the NBL grand final series.

Shaun Bruce (right) was targeted by angry punters after missing three throws in a basketball match.(AAP: Richard Wainwright)

Kings chairman Paul Smith said the player was targeted by furious betters after an average performance resulted in betting losses for them.

“What it highlighted is the vile behaviour of people gambling. This abuse is hard to deal with,” Mr Smith said.

“It becomes personal when they’re being abused just for going to work.”

The National Basketball League is partnered with a major sports betting company and is likely to continue featuring the company in stadium advertising.

“The league own real estate in our building from a signage perspective, so if they chose to deploy that, we can’t stop them doing that,” Mr Smith said.

People in suits stand ringside

Sydney Kings chairman Paul Smith (left) said clubs pushed for the program after a player was abused.(Supplied: Facebook)

But sporting clubs involved in the initiative have implemented banners reading, Reclaim the Game. Be Gamble Aware, at their home matches.

“We want to counteract the gambling messages,” Mr Smith said.

He said gambling was particularly damaging when invested punters bet on specific players or “margin bets” in order to earn higher earnings.

The two-year partnership will be visible at the team’s home matches, as well as online and through educational programs.

A ‘normal part of sport’

According to NSW GambleAware, online sports betting is the fastest growing form of gambling, and basketball is one of the most popular sports to bet on.

According to an Australian Institute of Family Studies report, almost half (46 per cent) of Australians who gambled were classified as “being at some risk of gambling harm”.

The same study stated that seeing or hearing betting ads affected sports engagement.

The report finds that most feel it makes “betting seem like a normal part of sport” (69 per cent), “sport less family-friendly” (60 per cent), and “decreases their enjoyment of sport” (46 per cent).

Office of Responsible Gambling director Alison Parkinson said the aim of the partnership was to educate fans and the community around the risks of gambling and betting high stakes.

“The reality is people experience harm as a result of gambling,” she said.

“The focus has shifted from enjoying sport for sports sake, to having a bet.”

If you, or someone you know needs gambling support or advice, please call GambleAware on 1800 858 858 for free and confidential help and support 24/7.