0/5

Betfair plugs just not cricket

To hear Ritchie Benaud quoting Betfair odds on air somehow smacks of cheap tactics by everybody involved.

It’s one thing to cleverly dot the MCG boundary with Betfair signage during the cricket, but to have commentators blatantly referencing the odds is very poor conduct by the Nine Network.

Anti-gambling advocates Tim Costello and South Australian senator Nick Xenophon said they were shocked to see Betfair’s strong presence on advertising billboards at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Betfair, a UK affiliate, is licensed by the Tasmanian Gaming Commission. PBL Media owns 50% of Betfair.

“You’ve got families and kids here,” Mr Costello said. “Of course gambling is part of life, but I think when it’s a family cultural event like the Boxing Day Test, the advertising is inappropriate.”

“Online gambling such as Betfair has the potential to deliver the next wave of problem gamblers,” Senator Xenaphon said.

To hear Ritchie Benaud quoting Betfair odds on air somehow smacks of cheap tactics by everybody involved.

It might happen in horse racing but it’s not only the government approved totalizer, its a sport designed for the purpose of betting. Cricket isn’t gambling-driven.

Perhaps we’ll see the day when Idol, Dancing with the Stars and Australia’s Got Talent start quoting gambling odds too? We certainly hope not.

Source: The Australian

13 Responses

  1. I know that Fox Sports ran the odds of the AFL and NRL before the games started… and generally it was the hosts announcing them.
    I don’t think there’s too much of an issue. Maybe they need to be saying that Betfair is half-owned by PBL… and then that’s it.

  2. I’m just glad that this kind of promotion hasn’t really caught on to the NRL coverage. Sure, there are some light hearted plus of VB and Bundy and Brut – but nothing sinister and planned like this.

    I thought that there were laws that limit the amount of advertising on television?

  3. It’s almost as lame as some of the channel 9 show promos they used to do after the drinks break. Hearing Slats, Tubby or Tony Greig sprout out rubbish like “look out for hole in the wall/CSI/Underbelly/Monster House(haha), it looks fantastic” just made me sick.

    But it’s not as bad as the Indian Premier League for those who watched that:
    a “DLF maximum” 6 – every time a 6 was hit
    a “citi moment of success” – anytime the commentators thought something important happened

    The issue here is cricket had a huge problem with matchfixing a while back. Gamblers were controlling players. So yeah, the last thing we need is an increase in gambling on cricket.

  4. To be fair to the commentators I don’t think they had a choice in the matter. I am certain that you will find that they were instructed to announce what odds Betfair were offering by their producers. I did note though that every time they mentioned what the odds were that they said please gamble responsibly.

    Like Bogues above, I did find it interesting what the odds were throughout the match. Australia at stumps on Day 2 were something like $1.15 to take the match. Just before Smith’s wicket fell on Day 5 we were at $150!

  5. Bogues if only there were more people with a similar attitude to yourself the world would be a much better place!

    I agree with everything you said 100% and I couldn’t have said it better myself!

  6. My problem is the way the advertising is done.
    Richie and his commentary team just weave it into conversation when clearly it is advertising.
    The governing body should stamp on this sort of stuff – what next commentators spruiking alcohol,smokes etc..

  7. The whole concept of promoting gambling during the cricket is unacceptable. Whilst for most people it’s just some more rubbish for the presenters to push – like they might do for cars etc….
    However, in this area there are 2 vulnerable groups:
    1. The youngsters watching the cricket – as many do this time of year.
    2. Addicted or recovering chronic gamblers – to have this constantly pushed at you is taking advantage of succeptible people. Bit like blowing smoke in the face of someone who’s trying to give up smoking.

    Advertising (whether is be for gambling or alcohol) influences people – otherwise they wouldn’t advertise. It particularly affects vulnerable people and is morally wrong.

    We need to look at what promotes the health and best interests of all Australians. And this certainly fails that test.

  8. I think that this sort of betting could be very tempting for (some) players to throw matches – especially given that it is not hard to bet indirectly… after that it’s just not “sport” any more…

    Also what’s there to stop the commentators “swaying” the odds for the betting operator with their commentaries… Once you start going down this path lots of questions will be raised by the performances on the field and with the microphone.

  9. I was really suprised that a Legend like Ritchie would even make refrence to it.. Channel 9 should be fined heavily for thier promotion of alcohol and the BetFair situation too..

    When the Government is promoting Anti-Gambling & Anti-Alcohol ads and for Channel 9 to spit in the Governments face is Disgraceful, Something must be done at Ch9 to stop that!

  10. I have no problem with gambling odds being broadcast during the commentary. I don’t gamble myself, but find it interesting to hear what the odds are (Aussie were paying $1.20 odd for the win on Saturday, what a difference two days makes!)

    I don’t see any issue with PBL owning Nine and PBL either. Self promotion is fair game in any other business (telecommunications especially)

    Channel Nine also broadcast adverts for alcohol during their coverage. Lets blame Nine for breading the next generation of alcoholics too.

Leave a Reply