Football itself is addicted to money from the betting industry

It was recently announced that Brian Rice, head coach of Scottish Premiership club Hamilton Academical, had reported himself to the Football Association. In a statement, Rice explained that over each of the past five seasons he had broken the governing body’s rules on gambling. (To protect the game’s integrity, those employed in professional football are not permitted to bet on matches.)

There is no suggestion of sinister foul play on Rice’s part. His bets did not involve his own team. Rice – like half a million other people in the UK – is afflicted by what he describes as “the horrible and isolating disease” of gambling addiction.

Both his club and the Scottish FA were rightly quick to praise Rice for his honesty and courage. And well they might. Football itself has become addicted to the riches offered by gambling firms desperate to get their hooks into the game’s fans.

The Scottish Professional Football League is sponsored by Ladbrokes. The Scottish Cup by William Hill. Glasgow giants Celtic and Rangers both have betting companies emblazoned across the front of their famous jerseys. South of the border, Sky Bet does the sponsorship honours for the English Football League. Ladbrokes were sponsors of the FA Cup until 2017, when the Football Association belatedly had second thoughts.

Ten of the 20 Premier League clubs in England are sponsored by gambling companies; in the championship that proportion shoots up to 17 of 24. So pervasive is the gambling companies’ “support” of football that we now have clubs’ grounds named in their honour. Stoke City’s bet365 Stadium is a prime example (heaven forbid that punters might take a single day off a year).

https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/football-gambling-betting-industry-money-addiction-a9301581.html