Fan alliance demands stricter rules for sports betting - and "new approaches" through traffic light coalition
Created: 01/15/2022, 18:17
By: Andreas Schmid
Advertising for sports betting providers is omnipresent in the Bundesliga.
© MIS/Imago
When was the last time you saw sports betting ads?
It shouldn't have been that long ago.
The providers are omnipresent - but that should change.
Munich – In the half-time advertising on Sky for the 19th matchday of the Bundesliga, the following products were advertised: betting providers, HD plus, betting providers, corporate financing, betting providers, electronics stores, TV information, betting providers, betting providers.
It is now impossible to watch a football game without being asked to place a bet.
While FC Bayern was playing in Cologne, fans could bet on the next goal, the next yellow card or the next throw-in due to the almost endless supply on the internet.
But that should soon be over.
Sports betting: fan association calls for stricter advertising rules
The association “Our Curve e.
V.” immediately calls for stricter regulation of sports betting.
The representation of interests of fan organizations appealed in a press release to the federal government and state interior ministers.
"We call on politicians to immediately regulate advertising for sports betting in public spaces more closely and to carry out intensive education and prevention."
In addition, there is a need for a “massive expansion of preventive measures and contact points in the areas of addiction and gambling” and an addition to the warning for sports betting with the statement: “Profits do not increase significantly through mature expert knowledge.”
The association expressly points out the addictive dangers of sports betting. "Contrary to what the advertising suggests, a sports bet is not a harmless game that can be used to win money quickly and easily." "In contrast to tobacco, high-proof alcohol or pornography, sports betting can be advertised largely without restrictions, despite the protection of minors."
Sports betting: Minister of the Interior has a duty - no majority for changes
According to the CDU politician Katja Leikert, the topic belongs on the agenda of the conference of interior ministers. "Due to their responsibility, the federal states are required to improve the new State Treaty on Gambling," Leikert told
Merkur.de
. The member of the Bundestag from Rhineland-Palatinate is a member of the Committee for Family, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth. Compliance with the previous rules is currently not being adequately controlled, especially with regard to the protection of minors. “There is a need for action here.” According to “Unsere Graph”, the majority of minors have had gambling experience. “Around a third have gambled in the last twelve months.” According to the Federal Center for Health Education, 430,000 people in Germany are addicted to gambling.
The conference of interior ministers only dealt with sports betting advertising in December. Bremen's Interior Senator Ulrich Mäurer (SPD) even wanted to obtain a ban - but failed because of the position of his counterparts. There was no unanimous approval of the amendment to the State Treaty on Gaming. There is currently no legal basis that prohibits companies from sponsoring in sports. On the contrary. With the new State Treaty on Gaming, even more liberal rules have applied since summer 2021.
Compared to
Merkur.de
, Markus Sotirianos, a member of the board of “Unsere Turn eV”, spoke positively towards Ulrich Mäurer.
“It is important to us to raise public and political awareness of the topic in this country.
The latter is then in a position to create new legal framework conditions.
The initiative by the Bremen Senator for the Interior shows that this is not a pipe dream."
Video: This is behind the sports betting empires
Sports betting: "Our curve" ready to talk - Leikert doesn't just see politics as a matter of course
The extent to which the federal government has the topic on its agenda seems questionable, however. The terms "sports betting" or "gambling" are not mentioned at all in the coalition agreement. "With a new government, there are at least potentially new approaches," says "Unsere Curve" to our editors. "If there is nothing fixed on the subject in the coalition agreement, that still offers opportunities to exchange content." The association is open to dialogue and also refers to the new drug and addiction officer. The SPD recently appointed Burkhard Blienert to the post. "We would also like to talk to him."
Meanwhile, Leikert does not only see politics as responsible.
"I also see clubs, officials and the media as having a duty to question themselves critically." Leikert says: "Football in particular has a role model function.
The campaign of 'Unsere Kune' is triggering an important debate here.”
Katja Leikert has been a member of the Bundestag since 2013.
© Christoph Hard/Imago
Football clubs and sports betting - an intimate relationship
Betting providers are an important, because lucrative, advertising partner for the clubs in the Bundesliga. Most clubs have an "official sports betting partner", as Hertha BSC describes its involvement with Betway. The German national team has also concluded an advertising deal with a betting provider. The DFB Cup and the 3rd division are sponsored by bwin, Tipico is an official partner of the German Football League (DFL) and thus of the 1st and 2nd divisions. The "Tipico countdown" gets Sky viewers in the mood for the games at 3:30 p.m. before the "Tipico top game" comes at 6:30 p.m.
In addition, sports icons such as Oliver Kahn or Lothar Matthäus advertise "Your bet in safe hands" and "The safe tip for you". This creates authenticity - and according to "Unsere KURKE" should be banned in the future. The association demands: "A ban on sports betting providers using former or active athletes, officials or other public figures to advertise their product, whether as an individual or as a group."
Sports betting is not only omnipresent in German sports.
In the English Premier League, the football league with the highest turnover in the world, betting providers advertise on the jerseys of Brentford, Burnley, Crystal Palace, Leeds, Newcastle, Southampton, Watford, West Ham and Wolverhampton.
Means: Almost every second team runs with a betting provider on the jersey.
Italy and Spain show that things can be different.
There are advertising bans on television and radio (Italy).
In the future, Germany will have to decide which countries to use as a guide.
(as)
