COMMENT By MATT NICHOLLS
THE University of New England should be applauded for its stance on gambling advertising.
Many viewers are sick of being bombarded by betting odds during the coverage of sport and other events.
Did you know you could bet on the winner of this year’s Big Brother series?
It’s gone too far.
I’m not ashamed to say I like to have a bet from time to time. Often it’s on horse racing, but occasionaly I’ll bet on the NRL or AFL.
But as a punter, I hate gambling advertising.
If I want to have a bet, I know how to access the odds and how to spend my money.
I don’t need to be told midway through a match who is more favoured to win.
If Queensland is playing NSW in the State of Origin, you want to know the Maroons are favourite because they boast Greg Inglis in the centres and Billy Slater at fullback, not because the TAB has them at $1.60.
You want to know the Blues are underdogs because they’ve had injuries to key players, not because they are $2.30.
Armidale’s own UNE has made its stand and word is they are not the only sponsor to voice concern about being advertised on the same jersey as an online bookmaker.
Leadership also needs to come from the Federal Government and truly clamp down on gambling advertising.
It happened in New Zealand and it’s worked wonders.
Surely we can be progressive as the Kiwis?
