BulldogBelle
12-10-2008, 01:26 AM
An interesting article...
Clubs champ at bit for bookie sponsors (http://www.theage.com.au/national/clubs-champ-at-bit-for-bookie-sponsors-20081011-4ysp.html?page=-1)
The Age
Tom Reilly
October 12, 2008
MELBOURNE'S sports teams are set for a windfall after the State Government scrapped rules that prevent bookmakers based outside Victoria sponsoring or advertising in the state.
The change could see millions of dollars pour in to hard-up football clubs such as North Melbourne, the Western Bulldogs and Melbourne, and horse-racing clubs and other sports that are struggling to find sponsors in the tough economic climate.
One major bookmaker told The Sunday Age that they were hoping to sponsor an AFL team based in the city.
The Government's decision, taken in co-ordination with NSW, came as the result of legal action by major bookies who claimed the rule was a restriction of trade.
"This change is bound to be a very good development for sport in Melbourne," said Neil Evans of the Alice Springs-based firm Centrebet.
"We are keen to increase our brand recognition in Victoria and we'll be looking to do this through advertising, some of which will be at sporting venues, and also through sponsorship. By next season we hope that we will have secured a position as major sponsor to a Melbourne-based AFL team, which would see our name on their shirts."
Such a deal could be worth up to $2 million annually, a sum that could keep some clubs financially secure.
In August it was announced that Melbourne had joined Richmond and the Western Bulldogs as teams that had lost their major sponsor for 2009.
The lifting of restrictions has been welcomed by many sporting clubs.
One executive at a football club that has undergone well-documented financial turmoil said he would be keen to talk to any bookmaker interested in sponsorship.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, he said: "Given the current financial crisis we're experiencing, I'm sure that all clubs will be looking at any new sponsor or advertiser who is bringing cash to the sport.
"Everybody knows that a number of clubs are struggling to make ends meet and an injection of money from a new major sponsor can make the difference to being in the red or in the black. And ultimately, that could mean the difference between a club being forced to relocate or not.
"We would certainly be keen to open discussions with a bookmaker firm that was serious about this type of investment."
Friday's announcement by the Victorian and NSW Governments had been widely anticipated. Centrebet negotiated a deal with the Newcastle Jets soccer team, which was announced in August and bought advertising signage at the SCG for future Sydney Swans games. Fairfax Media had also agreed to Northern Territory-based firm Sportsbet sponsoring the horse-racing form guide in The Age.
Releasing the change in policy, Racing Minister Rob Hulls said all ads would have to comply with responsible gambling guidelines and ensure that people received full protection for their investments.
"While opening the way for advertising by bookmakers licensed in other jurisdictions, Victoria remains committed to a responsible gambling environment," Mr Hulls said.
While the legislation will not pass through Parliament until next year, bookmakers have been told that they can begin advertising and sponsoring immediately.
Tasmania-based betting exchange Betfair and Darwin's Sportingbet said they would be seeking sponsorships in Victoria.
Moonee Valley Racing Club spokeswoman Jo McKinnon said deregulation would be good for the state's racing clubs.
"Our sponsors pay around $5000 per race on a non-feature race day, and while around 90% of races have sponsors, it would be good to raise that figure even higher," she said.
But problem gambling campaigner Tim Costello, a former head of the Interchurch Gambling Taskforce, said: "If there is far more advertising encouraging people to bet, there is bound to be more problems with gambling addictions and more people losing their savings wagering."
Clubs champ at bit for bookie sponsors (http://www.theage.com.au/national/clubs-champ-at-bit-for-bookie-sponsors-20081011-4ysp.html?page=-1)
The Age
Tom Reilly
October 12, 2008
MELBOURNE'S sports teams are set for a windfall after the State Government scrapped rules that prevent bookmakers based outside Victoria sponsoring or advertising in the state.
The change could see millions of dollars pour in to hard-up football clubs such as North Melbourne, the Western Bulldogs and Melbourne, and horse-racing clubs and other sports that are struggling to find sponsors in the tough economic climate.
One major bookmaker told The Sunday Age that they were hoping to sponsor an AFL team based in the city.
The Government's decision, taken in co-ordination with NSW, came as the result of legal action by major bookies who claimed the rule was a restriction of trade.
"This change is bound to be a very good development for sport in Melbourne," said Neil Evans of the Alice Springs-based firm Centrebet.
"We are keen to increase our brand recognition in Victoria and we'll be looking to do this through advertising, some of which will be at sporting venues, and also through sponsorship. By next season we hope that we will have secured a position as major sponsor to a Melbourne-based AFL team, which would see our name on their shirts."
Such a deal could be worth up to $2 million annually, a sum that could keep some clubs financially secure.
In August it was announced that Melbourne had joined Richmond and the Western Bulldogs as teams that had lost their major sponsor for 2009.
The lifting of restrictions has been welcomed by many sporting clubs.
One executive at a football club that has undergone well-documented financial turmoil said he would be keen to talk to any bookmaker interested in sponsorship.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, he said: "Given the current financial crisis we're experiencing, I'm sure that all clubs will be looking at any new sponsor or advertiser who is bringing cash to the sport.
"Everybody knows that a number of clubs are struggling to make ends meet and an injection of money from a new major sponsor can make the difference to being in the red or in the black. And ultimately, that could mean the difference between a club being forced to relocate or not.
"We would certainly be keen to open discussions with a bookmaker firm that was serious about this type of investment."
Friday's announcement by the Victorian and NSW Governments had been widely anticipated. Centrebet negotiated a deal with the Newcastle Jets soccer team, which was announced in August and bought advertising signage at the SCG for future Sydney Swans games. Fairfax Media had also agreed to Northern Territory-based firm Sportsbet sponsoring the horse-racing form guide in The Age.
Releasing the change in policy, Racing Minister Rob Hulls said all ads would have to comply with responsible gambling guidelines and ensure that people received full protection for their investments.
"While opening the way for advertising by bookmakers licensed in other jurisdictions, Victoria remains committed to a responsible gambling environment," Mr Hulls said.
While the legislation will not pass through Parliament until next year, bookmakers have been told that they can begin advertising and sponsoring immediately.
Tasmania-based betting exchange Betfair and Darwin's Sportingbet said they would be seeking sponsorships in Victoria.
Moonee Valley Racing Club spokeswoman Jo McKinnon said deregulation would be good for the state's racing clubs.
"Our sponsors pay around $5000 per race on a non-feature race day, and while around 90% of races have sponsors, it would be good to raise that figure even higher," she said.
But problem gambling campaigner Tim Costello, a former head of the Interchurch Gambling Taskforce, said: "If there is far more advertising encouraging people to bet, there is bound to be more problems with gambling addictions and more people losing their savings wagering."