Tigers latest club to say no to sports betting partnerships

Richmond Football Club is the latest team to join the majority of Victoria's AFL clubs in saying no to sports betting partnerships as part of a movement to separate gambling from the game.

By signing the responsible gambling charter, Richmond has joined with North Melbourne, Collingwood, Western Bulldogs, Hawthorn,  Essendon, St Kilda, and the A-League's Melbourne Victory preventing them from accepting sponsorships from sports betting companies and requiring them to work on limiting exposing young fans to gambling.

Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation chief executive Serge Sardo says seven of Victoria's 10 AFL clubs have now signed the charter along with more than 150 local sporting teams across the state.

"We're delighted Richmond is the latest team to join the growing push back of elite clubs who want to put the focus back on the game and not on the odds." he said.

Minister for Gaming and Liquor Regulation Jane Garrett congratulated Richmond on signing the charter.

"Victorians love their footy and we are really pleased to see Richmond taking steps to reduce the exposure of gambling to their youngest fans."

"This charter will help address the normalisation of gambling among kids and it will also better educate players and members about the risks of gambling," she said.

Richmond CEO, Brendon Gale said the new partnership is important, given the popularity of betting markets in AFL and sport.

"Through our new partnership with the Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation, we're able to take a lead in helping the community - young people in particular need to understand the devastating risks associated with gambling," Gale said.

"To join six other AFL Clubs in signing the responsible gambling charter is a strong stance by the AFL community, and we look forward to supporting the Foundation's initiatives over at least the next three years," he said.

Mr Sardo says more than 160 elite and local sporting clubs across Victoria have now joined the Foundation's Gambling's not a Game sporting clubs program including more recently the Melbourne Stars and Renegades from the Big Bash League.

"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.

The program also commits participating clubs who own or operate pokies to working with the Foundation's Gambler's Help venue support program and help services with a focus on ensuring those venues are managed to the highest possible standards.