Will the sponsorship ban in English soccer affect the game?

New rules in the UK will stop sports betting operators from advertising with celebrities and sports stars. The law specifically permits anyone from being a part of advertisements if they have any influence over children. This means that many social media influencers will also be banned from appearing in sportsbook adverts.
 

Gambling and sports have gone hand in hand for years, with many players themselves being known to enjoy a punt at the bookies. Some have been snapped in the casinos and even admitted to hitting the different online roulette games instead, to keep their pictures out of the paper. Wayne Rooney even took the number 32 shirt at Derby County as a way to promote a casino with the number 32 in its name.
 

However, it seems that nowadays, gambling is set to have its relationships with soccer players curbed after being ruled 'dangerously influential' to youngsters and alike. Let's learn more about the new rule change and how it will affect the game.
 

Gambling advertisement rule changes
 

The Committee of Advertising Practice (CAP) in the UK has the right to introduce new rules in regard to advertising practices. They recently announced that they would be changing who can appear in a gambling advert to prevent children from being influenced by these adverts.
 

As of October 1st, no sportsbook operator will be allowed to advertise with a celebrity, sports star or social media influencer within their content. It’s thought that many of these people, especially soccer players, can dangerously influence younger populations to gamble or gamble in the future.
 

The changes will be in full swing by the time the 2022 Qatar World Cup is underway, which is a timely decision considering many sportsbooks ramp up their marketing campaigns prior to big soccer tournaments and big games.
 

Soccer stars that featured in gambling ads
 

The presence of soccer players, ex-players and managers in UK gambling advertisements has been rife for a long time. One of Ladbrokes’ most famous sports betting adverts from years ago featured a group of former players and pundits portraying builders in a café. Since then, scores of other players have gotten involved, not limited to Jose Mourinho, Roy Keane, Jack Wilshire, and Micah Richards.
 

Some ex-players that have battled gambling addictions have hit out at fellow colleagues and players for taking such roles in the first place. Paul Merson suggests that players don’t need the money and shouldn’t be contributing to the industry in this way.
 

Will the sponsorship ban affect the game?
 

The sponsorship ban is unlikely to influence the action on the pitch, but it might lead to further advertisement bans. There have been calls for gambling companies to be banned from shirt sponsors and from in-ground advertising, as young people are also exposed to these things regularly.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

Photo Credit : watfordfc.com