Former Bulldog’s Premiership player, Tom Boyd, has joined a major campaign calling on the AFL to make next year’s AFL Grand Final a gambling advertising free zone.
The Alliance for Gambling Reform (AGR) and GetUp have today launched a campaign and petition urging the AFL to “kick gambling ads out of footy” — demanding that the biggest day in Australian sport be safe for kids and families.
As part of the campaign a mobile billboard will circle the MCG and Melbourne CBD throughout the Grand Final weekend festival, carrying the message: Kick gambling out of football”.
Tom Boyd, a hero of the Bulldog’s historic 2016 Grand Final win, shares some of the concerns he holds with the negative impact that gambling has in our communities around Australia.
"My major focus in my work and life is helping people, businesses and communities improve their ability to support the mental health of themselves and those around them. Alongside social media, one of the most common conversations that I hear is the challenges that gambling has created,” he said
“In addition to this, you can’t walk past a phone, television, newspaper or radio without gambling advertisements being present. My greatest concern as a father of a young child is the impact that it is having on our kids, both for today and into the future.”
“There needs to be greater consideration for what is appropriate and right when it comes to gambling advertisements - like all things, there needs to be limits”.
The Alliance for Gambling Reform’s CEO, Martin Thomas, said AFL Grand Final was supposed to be about footy, not betting odds.
“This weekend kids will see more gambling ads than goals. That’s not sport, that’s grooming the next generation of punters,” he said.
“Research shows 600,000 underage kids gamble $18 million each year. The one million gambling ads that assault our screens annually are a major driver of sports betting among children. The AFL has the power to act now — it doesn’t have to wait for politicians to do the right thing.”
Polling from The Australia Institute shows that 76% of Australians support a full ban on gambling advertising and 85% support greater restrictions.
GetUp Co-CEO Paul Ferris said gambling should be treated by the AFL in same way tobacco ads are.
“The AFL bans tobacco ads. It bans alcohol ads in junior sport. It’s time to do the same with gambling. Families should be able to enjoy the Grand Final without their kids being bombarded with ads for an addictive product.”
“Fans love the game, not the odds. The AFL can prove it cares more about families than betting companies by declaring the 2026 Grand Final a gambling-ad-free zone,” said Mr Ferris.
About us:
The Alliance is a national advocacy organisation fighting to reduce gambling harm and to give voice to those who have been impacted by gambling.
Contact details:
Martin Thomas, CEO of the Alliance, 077 340 704