The Football Association of Ireland is ready to have a “fair debate” on whether it should continue partnering gambling companies, but its Chief Executive, John Delaney, has refused to confirm recent reports that the body was planning to cut ties with such companies.
The FAI’s sponsorship deal with British bookmaker Ladbrokes is set to end later this year. The association also has two years left on a sponsorship deal with streaming service Trackchamp. Under that ongoing partnership, overseas viewers are able to gamble on League of Ireland matches.
According to recent reports, the football association was considering the possibility to cut ties with gambling companies in the wake of growing pressure from politicians and anti-gambling organizations about the harms of sponsorship deals involving betting and gaming operators.
Responding to the recently emerged speculations about FAI’s reported course of action, Mr. Delaney told local media that a fair debate will be held on the matter later this year and that the debate will initially be carried out internally. The official further pointed out that more details should be anticipated after those internal discussions take place.
Sponsorship Funds Benefit League of Ireland Clubs
In his comments, Mr. Delaney also pointed to the fact that while funds are coming from gambling funds, they are directed towards League of Ireland clubs as well as to different positive causes. Dropping sponsorships would mean that an important revenue stream would be dropped, the FAI leader went on to say.
To mitigate any negative consequences for the association, the football clubs and the other beneficiaries of the gambling sponsorship deals, the FAI will look to make an informed choice, Mr. Delaney revealed. The executive promised media that they would provide more information about their decision once one is made.
Reports about FAI potentially severing ties with gambling sponsors emerged after the Gaelic Athletic Association voted earlier this year to ban all such sponsorship deals, arguing that Irish sport was besieged by gambling and that a ban on gambling sponsorship would protect the integrity of Gaelic games.
Ireland’s President, Michael D. Higgins, recently called for the implementation of a ban on gambling adverts in sport, but his comments faced a heavy backlash from the industry. The Chair of the Irish Bookmakers Association pointed out that any such move would hamper a “responsible industry” from providing its customers with adequate services and that through advertising operators can adequately help people for whom gambling has become an issue.
Advertising ban discussions emerged in Ireland as Italy is gearing up for the January 2019 implementation of a blanket ban on gambling advertising, following the successful passage of the so-called Dignity Decree. The piece of legislation was introduced and spearheaded by Italian Deputy Minister Luigi Di Maio as a measure against the proliferation of gambling in the country and the exposure of young and vulnerable people to gaming and betting services.
