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  1. #1
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    Clubs champ at bit for bookie sponsors

    An interesting article...

    Clubs champ at bit for bookie sponsors
    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."

  2. #2
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    Re: Clubs champ at bit for bookie sponsors

    Although I love gambling I hope we don't get one as a large sponsor.

  3. #3
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    Re: Clubs champ at bit for bookie sponsors

    Cue "gambling is bad" whingers.

  4. #4
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    Re: Clubs champ at bit for bookie sponsors

    Quote Originally Posted by Topdog View Post
    Although I love gambling I hope we don't get one as a large sponsor.
    On the contrary, as far as I'm concerned this is a massive opportunitiy for us and Darwin-based Centrebet.

  5. #5
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    Re: Clubs champ at bit for bookie sponsors

    Quote Originally Posted by westdog54 View Post
    On the contrary, as far as I'm concerned this is a massive opportunitiy for us and Darwin-based Centrebet.
    Agreed ... I think this is a perfect opportunity for us to get a substantial major sponsor
    WOOF Member 422

  6. #6
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    Re: Clubs champ at bit for bookie sponsors

    Gambling isn't illegal.

    Gambling advertising isn't illegal.

    If we can get a sponsor, we should. It's not up to us to be the moral benchmark. Would prefer a different major sponsor came on, but our club needs the funds.

    How about we get a sponsor, and every week they change the part of their logo/branding on our kit to show our odds for the premiership... or on Cooney, his odds for the Chaz. Would get people talking.

  7. #7
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    Re: Clubs champ at bit for bookie sponsors

    We play a home game in Darwin (hello centrebet) and Mr Bookie Beasley surely has some contacts within the industry.

    This can only help

  8. #8
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    Re: Clubs champ at bit for bookie sponsors

    Quote Originally Posted by MrMahatma View Post
    Gambling isn't illegal.

    Gambling advertising isn't illegal.

    If we can get a sponsor, we should. It's not up to us to be the moral benchmark.
    Exactly right. No one seems to pressure those clubs sponsored by sporting apparel companies that exploit child labour in 3rd world countries.

  9. #9
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    Re: Clubs champ at bit for bookie sponsors

    Quote Originally Posted by craigsahibee View Post
    Exactly right. No one seems to pressure those clubs sponsored by sporting apparel companies that exploit child labour in 3rd world countries.
    Or those that have alcohol sponsorship (CUB etc)
    WOOF Member 422

  10. #10
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    Re: Clubs champ at bit for bookie sponsors



    AFL reviews rules on betting-agency deals

    THE AFL has reviewed its guidelines covering sponsorship agreements between AFL clubs and sports wagering providers following recent changes in state government legislation concerning wagering advertising.

    AFL chief operating officer Gillon McLachlan said on Friday the AFL had advised clubs they would be allowed to sign sponsorship agreements that do not provide access to AFL or AFL club intellectual property so long as the betting agency has a product fee and information-sharing agreement with the AFL.

    The AFL currently has such agreements – which cover issues including signage, ticketing and hospitality – with Tabcorp (TAB Sportsbet, Luxbet), Betfair, Betezy, Sports Acumen, IAS Bet, Sportingbet and Racing Odds.

    The AFL also said it would consider on a case-by-case basis approval of major sponsorship agreements between AFL clubs and sports wagering providers that do provide access to AFL or AFL club intellectual property, provided that the agency has had a product fee and information-sharing agreement with the league for 12 months or one AFL season.

    McLachlan said the guidelines change recognised long-term agreements with existing wagering partners that allowed the league to access betting information relating to its matches and events under the AFL's integrity rules.

    The review follows Government changes allowing wagering providers to advertise outside of the state in which they are licensed.

    No AFL player or club official is allowed to bet or provide confidential information for wagering purposes on any AFL match or event.

    Two AFL clubs, Richmond and Melbourne, have yet to announce major sponsorship deals for 2009 and beyond.
    WOOF Member 422

  11. #11
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    Re: Clubs champ at bit for bookie sponsors

    Somewhat annoying that they do it now that we're safe. Replacement for Ezybonds?

  12. #12
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    Re: Clubs champ at bit for bookie sponsors

    I say chase them, we have the trotting track being built in Melton to take over the main trotts, its in the west, try and use that somehow.

  13. #13
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    Re: Clubs champ at bit for bookie sponsors

    I'd love to see it,but I'm sure we'd get some sort of backlash from the residents of Edgewater or that Mayor,or some other ''gambling is bad '' group

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