Premier League club Crystal Palace FC has strengthened its commitment to the promotion of responsible gambling via an agreement with national self-exclusion service GAMSTOP.
The new partnership – marking GAMSTOP’s debut deal in the Premier League – builds on the Eagles prior deal with BeGambleAware, signed in 2018.
In a statement on the team’s website, the club encouraged users ‘to seek professional help and support from treatment providers’, as well as to utilising other tools such as blocking software and bank blocking to prevent harmful gambling habits.
Steve Parish, Chairman of Crystal Palace, remarked: “We are delighted to be helping to raise awareness of this important service. Whilst most people who gamble on football do so to enhance their enjoyment of the sport, GAMSTOP gives anyone experiencing problems with their gambling a chance to regain control.”
GAMSTOP will benefit from advertising space at Crystal Palace’s Selhurst Park home stadium, and the club will also share information about the self-exclusion platform’s services across its social media channels, including the networks of both the men’s and women’s teams.
Additionally, GAMSTOP will provide free training to explain how its service can help vulnerable people within the community in the Eagles’ South London home.
“Crystal Palace’s support will be hugely beneficial in ensuring that people who could benefit from using GAMSTOP are aware of the scheme,” said Fiona Palmer, CEO of GAMSTOP.
“The pandemic has led to increased sign-ups and we are trying to ensure that anybody who is struggling with their gambling, or has a loved one experiencing problems, knows where they can access support.
“The support of Crystal Palace will help us extend our reach and we hope that other Premier League and women’s clubs will follow their example.”
The announcement comes at a time when the relationship between professional sports and betting faces increasing scrutiny from both the political and public spheres, with several Premier League clubs holding a meeting last Thursday to discuss the collaboration between the two sectors, with a particular focus on shirt sponsorships by betting operators.
Furthermore, the English Football League (EFL) has also undertaken a review of its relationship with gambling, with principal partner Sky Bet launching a ‘transformative campaign’, resulting in 70% of its matchday inventory committing to a safer gambling message.
A handful of clubs also donated betting shirt sponsorships to gambling harm prevention charities for Safer Gambling Week.
