Love the Game round

The round was formally launched today by Minister for Gaming and Liquor Regulation Marlene Kairouz, Member for Mordialloc Tim Richardson and players from Kingston Hawthorn and Ringwood cricket clubs.

The round is aimed at reminding Premier Cricket players and fans you don’t need to have a bet to enjoy sport, and starting conversations around gambling harm.

Minister for Gaming and Liquor Regulation Marlene Kairouz said the strong support shown for the Love the Game round sends a clear message to the wider community.

“The grassroots support we have seen here today sends a strong message that we are united as a community to fight the normalisation of gambling,” Kairouz said.

The teams are the latest to sign the Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation’s (VRGF) responsible gambling charter, bringing the total number of local sports clubs on board to over 250.

Cricket Victoria CEO Tony Dodemaide said, “We are committed to creating safe, healthy environments in all of our Premier Cricket clubs with a strong focus on loving the game, not the odds.”

Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation Acting CEO Craig Swift commended Cricket Victoria and Premier Cricket clubs for their leadership.

“I congratulate Cricket Victoria and Premier Cricket clubs for their leadership in signing the responsible gambling charter and creating safe, healthy club environments for players, their families and fans,” Swift said.

Research shows two-thirds of children aged between eight and 16 can recall the name of at least one sports betting brand and one in five can identify three or more.

The Love the Game round continues the work of the Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation’s ‘Love the Game, Not the Odds’ campaign.

To read more about the #Lovethegame round, click here. 

Advice and tips to help parents discuss the risks and harms of sports betting with their kids can be found at here.