Stars and Renegades unite to separate betting from the ball

Today both Melbourne Big Bash cricket teams signed a commitment to protect young people from the risks of gambling as part of the Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation's sporting clubs program.

Minister for Gaming and Liquor Regulation Jane Garrett congratulated the Melbourne Stars and Melbourne Renegades for signing the Responsible Gambling Charter.

"It really is excellent to see the leadership the Renegades and Stars have shown today.

"This charter will help to reduce the exposure of gambling to young people through sports and better educate fans, players and members about the risks of gambling," she said.

Importantly, signing the charter means clubs have committed to refraining from making sponsorship deals with sports betting agencies which would inevitably result in exposing under aged kids to gambling promotion.

Clint Cooper, CEO Melbourne Stars, says he'd like fans to concentrate on the ball instead of betting on the outcome.

"Being a new, vibrant and family friendly club, we are absolutely committed to this important initiative and re-balancing the discussion around sports betting, by focusing on the wonderful spectacle that is the game of T20 cricket," he said.

Stuart Coventry, CEO Melbourne Renegades, agrees that cricket is entertaining enough without having a bet.

"The Melbourne Renegades represent exciting family entertainment and we want to refocus the attention on enjoying the at-match spectacle we deliver at each game," he said.

Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation chief executive Serge Sardo says the clubs join around 160 other elite and local Victorian sporting clubs promoting the responsible gambling message.

"We're really excited to have both Melbourne Big Bash teams join our Gambling's not a Game program.

"The program encourages sporting clubs to maintain a distinct separation between gambling and sporting activities and refrain from displaying sports betting or gambling-related signage in or around the club," he said.