And now a word from our sponsor

[dimelb]

A couple of items from the weekend reminded me of Triple B's splendid avatar.
One is from Greg Baum: Show us the trustworthiness
The other from Peter Fitzsimons:
AWFUL ODDS
Just another scene in the Sydney suburbs ?
Last Sunday, seven mates gather at one mate's house before a Sydney Kings match. Why not have a quick pick-up game themselves in the backyard, before heading off? And so they do, complete with rollicking sideline commentary from the odd fellow out. All is going well until the sideline commentator throws in a "TAB Sportsbet" odds update, which prompts another to come back with a "Tom Waterhouse money back guarantee," while another chimes in with a "Centrebet first bet double odds" promotion. Much laughter follows, though there are notable exceptions. For, you see, the mates are 11 years old, it is a birthday party and the parents of the hosts are appalled both that all these youngsters know all the names and offers and secondly, that it is accepted as a ''normal'' part of sport. In the words of the father, who wrote to me, "It is an insidious blight on our sporting landscape that adds nothing but misery and confusion. Please, make it stop!" I am trying, mate. Many people feel the same. As near as I can reckon - and I have talked to several politicians on the subject - the best chance is to lobby Stephen Conroy, the Federal Minister for Communications, to introduce legislation limiting betting sponsorship.


Read more: AFL sinks boot into rugby's heart

I was disappointed with Greg; he had a golden opportunity (so to speak) to introduce tomwatercloset.com.au but missed the mark.
Do others share the concern?

[jono2707]

I don't have a great issue with gambling in general and betting on footy more particularly, but I just don't like Tom Waterhouse. I guess it's the fact that he is trading off his name, which IMO has a bit of a 'doubtful' history, and I am not totally comfortable with the sponsorship of the Swans. I really objected to Tom's so-called 'expert analysis' being pushed into my Facebook feed each week through the Swans page, but that was mainly because other sponsers were not pushed into my feed each week.

Really it's just a matter of time before one of the major footy codes in Ausstralia has some sort of major scandal involving betting - we'll hardly be surprised when it happens will we?

[goswannie14]

I am concerned at the proliferation of betting advertising during AFL matches. I expect (even though I loathe it) to see it during the racing season (yawn), but not at every break in the footy.

I kn ow people say that people should gamble responsibly, but problem gambling causes many problems with those that have an addictive personality. Making it easier by being able to gamble online, just makes it too easy for someone to blow their money before they know it. At least when they have to do it in person they know how much they have got to waste. terrible problem that will only get worse unless some of these sporting associations/leagues take a stand.

[Big Al]

Re: And now a word from our sponsor

Sportsbet is paying $1.12 that the Peter Fitzsimons story is complete bull@@@@

[Primmy]

I am with you Mr D. I cannot stand the betting adds, they are truly insidious. Mind y ou, the more they are shown, the less likely I am of ever having a bet, even to the extent that this is the first Melbourne Cup that I have not actually had "a flutter" on. I couldn't bring myself to do so. Reverse psychology? Perhaps. But I am over it, because I do not believe a word they say.