The Western Bulldogs are proud to announce a three-year extension with Love the Game, which aims to raise community awareness about the risks associated with sports gambling.
As a Love the Game partner since 2016, the Bulldogs are committed to helping protect children from developing unhealthy gambling habits in the future.
With over 600 sporting partners across Victoria, the Love the Game program continues to unite communities in creating a future where sport and betting don’t have to go hand in hand.
“Here at the Bulldogs, we are dedicated to playing footy for the love of the game, not the odds,” Kon Karavias, Chief Commercial and Strategy Officer said.
“Through sport, we can help young people build friendships, resilience, and leadership skills, without the harmful distraction of betting. By taking a proactive approach with the help of Love the Game, our members and fans are equipped with resources to help young people understand how gambling really works, and the risks involved.
“Parents and carers play a vital role in shaping young people’s attitudes, so we are encouraging them to think before they gamble around their kids and have open conversations about the risks of gambling, to help protect kids from developing gambling problems as adults.”
Research from the Department of Health shows that:
- When it comes to gambling, parents have the greatest influence on their children’s attitudes and behaviour;
- Children who are introduced to betting at an early age are more likely to experience problems with gambling as adults;
- 2 of 3 parents who gamble do so in front of their children;
- A quarter of parents reported that their child had gambled in the past year.
Love the Game will be highlighted this Saturday evening as the Club’s Round 1 match-day partner.
The Love the Game program began in 2013. Since then, the program has expanded significantly, partnering with professional sporting clubs and peak sporting bodies to promote gambling-free sport.
The program works to reduce young people’s exposure to sports betting promotions, and develop informed attitudes toward gambling, by fostering strategic partnerships at all levels of sport.
