The Church of Scotland has called for a ban on gambling advertising in sports in a report issued ahead of this summers Commonwealth Games.
Are the Scottish being bombarded with too many gambling advertisements whilst watching their favorite sports?
Well according to the Church of Scotland that answer is a resounding YES.
In a report, entitled, ‘Striving Together: Celebrating Competitiveness in Sport,’ the Church has urged both the UK and Scottish governments to ban gambling advertising in sports as well as adverts for pay day loan companies.
The report has been issued ahead of this summers Commonwealth Games that will see Glasgow host the event that will see athletes compete in up to 17 different sports.
Sponsors of the games include the likes of John Lewis and Virgin Media, so you are allowed to spend your money on matters of consumerism, but if you have a bet on sports then hell will have no furry it seems.
The report comes just days after Glasgow Rangers signed a new sponsorship deal with the UK online casino 32Red. The former sponsors of Swansea City will replace the current sponsors Blackthorn at the end of the season (I guess hundreds of thousands of alcohol related deaths are not enough to attract the attention of the Church).
The Church of Scotland believe that the government and sporting bodies need to work together to eradicate ‘hazardous and harmful gambling’ and maintain that the ‘normalization of gambling’ has been proven to have a damaging effect on the lives of thousands across Scotland.
Yes they have only gone and done it!
It would not be a report about gambling if it didn’t include the words Fixed Odds Betting Terminals (FOBTs).
This time it’s the Church of Scotland who are citing damaging FOBT figures as the reason the country is going down the pan, and why the connection between sport and gambling should be cut for good.
I was positive the Old and New Testaments made reference to that ‘crack cocaine of gambling’ – the casting of lots.
