Geelong Cats love the game, not the odds

The Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation today acknowledged the Geelong Cats’ announcement that the club has finalised arrangements to exit the last of its gaming venues early next year.

“Five of the 10 Victorian AFL clubs have now decided to end any association between their club and gaming venues,” Foundation CEO Shane Lucas said.

“And as members of the Foundation’s Love the Game Sporting Club Program, all 10 clubs say no to sports betting sponsorship and support our efforts to interrupt the association between, and normalisation of, sports and betting.

“A generation of kids has grown up thinking that betting on sport is normal, but community sentiment is evolving. Victorian families love the game, not the odds, and so do Victoria’s AFL clubs.”

In March this year, Mr Lucas commended the Cats for their stance on in-stadium gambling advertising, which they no longer permit at AFL matches at GMHBA Stadium.

Geelong joins North Melbourne, Melbourne, Collingwood and the Western Bulldogs in taking this stand, with momentum to find other sources of revenue accelerating in the past 12 months.

“Victorians are passionate about all sports – but footy is our number 1,” Mr Lucas said.

“So for the Cats, Kangas, Demons, Doggies and Pies to all be saying loud and clear that they love the game, not the odds – that’s a great message to send to Victoria’s kids.”