Cricket NSW launches responsible gambling campaign

The two-year partnership spans all four teams active under Cricket NSW’s leadership; the Blues, Breakers, Sydney Sixers and Sydney Thunder.

As a result of the agreement, neither Cricket NSW or the teams are permitted to sign partnership with a sports betting or gambling business.

The GambleAware campaign will take presenting partner rights to one Sixers and one Thunder match during the 2020-21 season, while all Cricket NSW, Sydney Sixers and Sydney Thunder staff and players will be offered gambling awareness education sessions.

“We are a purpose and values-based organisation and we are very happy to be able to partner with another organisation that brings a high level of social responsibility,” Cricket NSW chief executive Lee Germon said.

“The fact we are also able to provide education to our staff and players about responsible gambling helps in our objective of being a values-driven organisation.”

NSW Responsible Gambling Fund chairman John Dalzell said by having matches free of gambling advertising, it means that families can enjoy cricket without the concern that children are being exposed to gambling promotions.

“Young people are under immense pressure to fit in and are more likely to take up gambling if they consider it to be a normal part of sport and they assume that everyone’s doing it,” Dalzell said.

“It will remove the assumption that gambling is a normal part of cricket and it will refocus attention back on the game and the players; the way it should be.”

Earlier this month, the NSW Independent Liquor & Gaming Authority (ILGA) reported a year-on-year decline in gaming machine net profit across clubs and hotels in the first half of 2020, mainly due to the impact of the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) crisis.