I don’t have a problem with betting companies sponsoring events, but giving them exclusive content which fans need to place a bet to watch is a step to far. What about religions who forbid gambling, surely it discriminates against those that can’t watch their team.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/51028507 The government has called on the Football Association to immediately reconsider its decision to sell FA Cup broadcast rights via a third party to a gambling website.
Bet365 (and others) streaming content is nothing new. Also you don't need to place a bet, just to have made a deposit.
I’m aware of that. The difference really is, it’s the first time a major domestic competition has to my knowledge at least given exclusive rights to live matches. In the past these streaming sites have only shown content on an exclusive basis where there would be little general interest. Yes, you might only have to make a deposit but then even if you had no intention of gambling surely the next logical step is take a bet and surely that’s Bet 365’s logic too.
To be fair to the FA, it seems this deal was struck before they made a decision not to work with betting companies so shouldn’t happen in the future.
I do find it odd how the deals struck with the BBC and BT (soon to be ITV) allow other organisations to bid for any live rights domestically.
Last edited by Jon on 8 January 2020 4:38pm - 3 times in total
I don’t have a problem with betting companies sponsoring events, but giving them exclusive content which fans need to place a bet to watch is a step to far. What about religions who forbid gambling, surely it discriminates against those that can’t watch their team.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/51028507 The government has called on the Football Association to immediately reconsider its decision to sell FA Cup broadcast rights via a third party to a gambling website.
And in doing so given the deal far more publicity than Bet365 ever have.
Anyone who doesn't bet, and indeed many that do, is going to spend less as a result of this deal than they would signing up to a subscription sport service.
I don’t have a problem with betting companies sponsoring events, but giving them exclusive content which fans need to place a bet to watch is a step to far. What about religions who forbid gambling, surely it discriminates against those that can’t watch their team.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/51028507 The government has called on the Football Association to immediately reconsider its decision to sell FA Cup broadcast rights via a third party to a gambling website.
And in doing so given the deal far more publicity than Bet365 ever have.
Anyone who doesn't bet, and indeed many that do, is going to spend less as a result of this deal than they would signing up to a subscription sport service.
But the point is to get people to bet who don’t bet.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/51028507
The government has called on the Football Association to immediately reconsider its decision to sell FA Cup broadcast rights via a third party to a gambling website.
And in doing so given the deal far more publicity than Bet365 ever have.
Anyone who doesn't bet, and indeed many that do, is going to spend less as a result of this deal than they would signing up to a subscription sport service.
But the point is to get people to bet who don’t bet.
Who'll likely spend less than the few hundred quid to subscribe to Sky.
Just playing devils advocate though, do think I this is an awful deal by the FA, especially considering the strict rules around betting in football.
This deal is going to open up the whole relationship issue. The first thing that needs strengthening is the ridiculous 'voluntary
whistle to whistle agreement' that imo means nothing.
The government are just jumping on the moral outrage bandwagon as usual. Gotta stay the right side of those Daily Mail headlines.
Frankly, one single sports betting website offering some additional live streaming of the FA Cup matches deemed unimportant enough for TV, for a nominal fee without any obligation or pressure to lay a bet, is the least worrisome part of the modern game's obsession with gambling.
The idea that this has any more of an affect on behavior than:
- the Football League being sponsored by a betting company
- betting companies' ads are visible throughout the game on pitchside advertising boards
- betting companies' ads still shown within the match television programme before and after the arbitrary whistle-to-whistle period
- a huge proportion of shirt sponsors are betting companies
- Wayne Rooney's shirt number is chosen as a promotional tie up with a betting company
- talkSPORT features live in-game odds from BetFair and Paddy Power during commentary
- newspaper pull outs around the weekend's action barely manage to squeeze in match reports and stats between the betting company adverts
No one is saying this is any worse or better. But the difference here is this is actively using content as means of incentivising customers who wouldn’t be swayed by those other forms of advertising to join and give money to an online gambling site. Usually if you are influenced by those other methods to join the site you at least fancy a flutter. This will have effect of getting people started who just want a way to watch their team but wouldn’t normally visit such sites.
And to be fair to Nicky Morgan, who is otherwise clearly a joke of person. She has voiced concerned around other matters when it comes to gambling.
As I say, this method of content delivery has been around for years. Live streaming on Bet365 and other websites is even promoted as an option on various "live football on TV" websites.
Now suddenly because the streams involve the FA Cup everyone's getting in a tizz about it? Does this mean Bet365 will have to stop *all* their live streaming? Or just the live streaming the government cares about?
The streams only appeal to the most hardcore fan who couldn't get tickets to a game as a quick and easy way to follow their team in the cup, especially if another team is on TV at the time. The £10 joining fee is a substantial barrier to entry / hassle hurdle and most fans will just listen to the radio or follow along on the red button. Anyone who is tempted to join the betting website would probably have been tempted to join regardless of content offered or streams available.
Unless the government is totally outlawing internet betting or live streaming, they can't have any complaints about some sort of half-way-house where the rights, sold by IMG, are taken up by the highest bidder with profits from gambling being pumped back into the game via the FA. As usual, it's about opportunistic hypocrisy on the part of those in power.
Worth a passing note here, Mark Pougatch has been told he’s no longer required at BBC Five Live
Thank you very much for all the kind messages, from listeners, friends & colleagues. I’m very touched & appreciative people took the time. Just so we’re clear this was not my decision but on we go. Lots of love to @bbc5live@5liveSport. Now three dogs need a walk, not in loafers.