Ex-FA Boss Slams Football’s Link to Gambling and Suggests the Sport Needs to “Wean” Itself Off

Mark Palios, the former FA Chief Executive has voiced his concerns over gambling and football. Speaking to BBC’s Radio 4’s File on 4 programme, he said that the links between the popular sport and betting have gone “too far” and insisted that football neds to “wean” itself off gambling sponsorship.

Currently the chair of Tranmere Rovers FC, Mr Palios insisted whilst he is in charge, he would not be accepting any sponsorship from gambling companies and even revealed that he rejected an offer last year from a major betting operator.

Contrary to belief, the English Premier League (EPL) said football and the gambling industry worked together responsibly. A spokesman said: "The EFL itself continues to have a successful relationship with Sky Bet who, as a responsible, properly regulated bookmaker, recognise the importance of having the right safeguards in place."

Almost 60% of the football teams in the top two tiers if English football are signed up to online gambling sites via sponsorship. When pushed to add advertising for gambling in and around the grounds of Tranmere Rovers FC, Mr Palios said: "This is a family club that's firmly rooted in the community and from our perspective it's the wrong thing to do to get associated with the gambling industry…

…We can't change the bigger picture in terms of the football industry being involved to the extent it is but from a personal perspective that's what we do. Football has to wean itself off the position it is in at the moment - and that's the best verb I can use. It's certainly gone too far."

Too Close to Home

Speaking from the him, Mr Palios revealed that an employee had stolen from the club to fund their gambling habit. Not only that, but he had also helped a number of players at the club with gambling problems. Describing the demographics of football, he said it was “particularly appealing” to gambling operators…

…Now, this may shock you. Highlighting a recent report, Mr Palios highlighted that the majority of betting shops in Wirral (where the EPL League One team is based), were all situated in the poorest of areas, and even more surprising is that people spend twice as much on gambling there than they do in the richest of areas!

"I see gambling as something that is pernicious. People get hooked into it and it is a hidden addiction. You see people stealing from their employers as we've seen, and it destroys relationships and fundamentally damages family units and family units are a massive part of the community."

There is some good news on the horizon (we think). According to the Betting and Gaming Council (a body which represents sportsbook operators within the UK), said it is “considering” a voluntary ban on football shirt sponsorship and pitch-side advertising. How many will sign up though?

Last month we heard news of an investigation being led by the Gambling Commission over a deal in which FA Cup matches had been shown live via seven online betting sites, but only if customers had signed up for the exclusive offer. 

The FA said: "We made a clear decision on the FA's relationship with gambling companies, in June 2017, when we ended our partnership with Ladbrokes. The leagues and clubs govern their own relationships with gambling companies."

Source: Grant, Paul. “Football gambling links 'gone too far', ex-FA boss says”. BBC. February 18, 2020.