North Melbourne has become the first AFL club to sign the Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation’s charter designed to educate and raise awareness about the risks of gambling, specifically to young people.
The club assisted in the launch of the ‘Gambling’s not a game’ youth engagement strategy and will now implement various youth focused programs.
North CEO Carl Dilena says the new partnership will help young people better understand the risks involved with gambling and sports betting.
PRESS PLAY above to watch Dilena's media conference | YouTube
“At North we have a very strong community facility through The Huddle and we’ll be rolling out several programs in aid of raising awareness for young people about this issue. We think it’s a fantastic initiative particularly with the prevalence of gambling in our society,” Dilena said.
“We’ll be assisting in educating teenagers and parents about the important lessons and we’re delighted our vice-captain Jack Ziebell will be the ambassador for the partnership.
“The club will lead a program for sporting clubs and we’ll encourage others to do likewise whether it be different sporting codes or through grassroots sports.”
North is currently the only club in the AFL that does not receive revenue from gambling.
The ‘Gambling’s not a game’ sporting clubs program aims to:
- Counter the growing culture of gambling in sport by supporting clubs across Victoria to take a responsible approach to gambling
- Raise awareness about the risks of gambling to parents and children
- Help sporting clubs preserve the essence of their sport by separating gambling from sports
- Shift the focus back to the ‘love of the game’ not the odds
- Minimise exposure to gambling activities and advertising to youth under 18 years of age
The strategy is being promoted by a new ad campaign, KidBet, featuring a 12 year old schoolboy promoting a fictional gambling agency ‘just for kids’. Find out more at www.KidBet.com.au.
