St Kilda has pledged its commitment to protecting young people from the risks of gambling by signing the responsible gambling charter today.
The Saints, along with Essendon and the Western Bulldogs have signed the charter for the first time, joining forces with Hawthorn, Collingwood, North Melbourne and Melbourne Victory to spread the word about responsible gambling.
The clubs have signed the charter to launch Responsible Gambling Awareness Week which is being held across the state from October 12 to 18.
St Kilda CEO Matt Finnis said it was important for the Saints to be emphatic on such an important community issue.
“Gambling and sport are often synonymous but in signing this charter and embarking on this partnership with the Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation we are taking a stand to demonstrate the values that underpin us as a club,” Finnis said.
“As a high-profile sporting organisation – and one that operates a gaming venue - we have a responsibility to our supporters and the wider community that we take very seriously and part of that responsibility is to help promote responsible gambling.
“We exist in a competitive industry both on and off the field and, as with many clubs, we have had sponsorship arrangements with gambling organisations but that will not be the case going forward from the end of this month.”
Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation chief executive Serge Sardo said more than 140 elite and local sporting clubs across Victoria have now joined the foundation’s Gambling’s not a Game program.
“The program encourages sporting clubs to maintain a distinct separation between gambling and sporting activities and refrain from displaying sports betting or gambling-related signage in or around the club, and any club with a gambling venue will be required to meet the highest possible standards,” Mr Sardo said.
“Importantly, signing the charter means clubs have committed to refraining from making sponsorship deals with sports betting agencies which would see them promoting gambling to young people under 18.”
Gambling’s not a Game started in October 2013 with North Melbourne and Melbourne Victory the first clubs to join, and Collingwood and Hawthorn coming on board in 2014.
Under the program, clubs commit to keeping gambling away from areas young people are present including club, social and fundraising activities. They agree not to provide gambling inducements for awards and prizes and to promote responsible gambling to players, members and visitors.
Where participating clubs own or operate poker machines, they also commit to engaging with the Gambler’s Help venue support program and help services.
Responsible Gambling Awareness Week runs from October 12-18. The Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation will be holding a forum on problem gambling at St Kilda Town Hall this Wednesday from 6.30pm. Please visit rgaw.com.au for more information.
