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Football Association and Bet365
09 January 2020
Lead MP
Carolyn Harris
Debate Type
General Debate
Tags
NHSCulture, Media & Sport
Other Contributors: 29
At a Glance
Carolyn Harris raised concerns about football association and bet365 in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Opened the debate
Problem gambling in the UK is now so endemic that it should be treated as a public health crisis. It causes untold misery to those affected and their families. The Football Association agreed a streaming deal through IMG, which allows bookmakers and betting firms to stream matches on their websites and mobile apps, forcing fans to “bet to view” if they want to watch their team. Three years ago, it appeared that the FA had turned a corner when it ended a £4 million-a-year sponsorship deal with Ladbrokes, distancing itself from the gambling industry. However, what has come to light in recent days paints a very different picture.
Nigel Adams
10:30:00
Recent reports on the streaming of FA cup matches by online bookmakers have rightly caused concern across the House. They relate to a media rights deal agreed by the FA with IMG in early 2017, within which IMG could sell on live footage or clips of certain FA cup matches to commercial partners. The Secretary of State and I made our views quite clear yesterday and have done so previously on the wider responsibilities of sport and gambling sectors to their fans, their customers and our wider communities.
Carolyn Harris
Lab
Neath and Swansea East
Problem gambling in the UK is now so endemic that it should be treated as a public health crisis. It causes untold misery to those affected and their families. The Football Association agreed a streaming deal through IMG, which will run until 2024. That deal allows IMG to sell on live footage from cup matches to bookmakers and betting firms around the globe. Gambling companies can then stream matches on their websites and mobile apps, forcing fans to “bet to view” if they want to watch their team.
Richard Graham
10:30:00
The arrangement has been in place for some time; the 2017 contract was a rollover of a deal. The Government have asked the Football Association to look at all avenues to review this element of its broadcasting agreement. This element of the broadcast arrangement is for matches that are not chosen for the FA cup online broadcast or do not kick off at 3 pm on a Saturday.
Tracy Brabin
10:30:00
I am grateful to my hon. Friend the Member for Swansea East (Carolyn Harris) for asking it. Many people are outraged that gambling firm Bet365 has won the rights to broadcast FA cup matches exclusively through its website and applications, because we are all too aware of the devastating impact that gambling can have on lives. At the heart of this issue is the cynical way Bet365 hook people into placing bets and gambling during matches.
Tracey Crouch
10:30:00
The deal with Bet365 is distasteful, naive and a long way short of what good governance of sport, especially football, should look like. But it also contradicts previous FA decisions dissociating itself, as the sport’s regulator, from betting companies.
Nigel Adams
Con
Sherwood
Acknowledged the work done to cut stakes on fixed odds betting terminals and tighten requirements for age and identity verification. Stated that steps will be taken with the FA to address the matter urgently.
Gavin Newlands
SNP
Paisley and Renfrewshire North
Criticised the deal between the English FA and bookmakers, arguing for closer oversight of media rights sales. Raised concerns about gambling addiction rise and suggested ensuring more free-to-access TV broadcasts could reduce problematic betting gateways.
Chingford and Woodford Green
Called on the Minister to tell the FA that financial support would be reviewed unless it acts quickly. Emphasised the abuse occurring in VIP rooms where companies drive people into higher levels of gambling for profit.
Jo Gideon
Con
Hendon
Suggested working with banks to identify individuals developing gambling addictions, while acknowledging Bet365 as a significant employer and responsible company in her constituency.
Ronnie Cowan
SNP
East Ayrshire and Arran
Believed the deal was entirely about gambling rather than sport. Called for legislation to bring the industry into line with a new Gambling Act, emphasising consultation with those suffering from gambling-related harm.
Damian Collins
Con
West Bromwich East
Suggested amending the Gambling Act if the FA did not act soon to ban sponsorship deals requiring sports fans to set up gambling accounts to watch sports, expressing belief that the deal cheapens the FA cup.
Jo Stevens
Lab
Cardiff East
Asked for a specific date regarding when the review of the Gambling Act would be completed and announced by the Government.
Julian Knight
Con
Solihull
Noted that this issue extends beyond football to governance problems in the FA, including bullying, safeguarding issues, and poor deals for fans. Emphasised the need to take it seriously due to the national game's societal impact.
Clive Betts
Lab
Sheffield South East
Argued that this deal represents a dumbing down of the FA cup and suggested prioritising fan interests over media and betting company priorities when discussing these matters with the FA.
Thurrock
Expressed disappointment over the Football Association's partnership with Bet365, highlighting the negative impact on families affected by gambling addiction and urged for stricter regulation in the online gambling environment.
Nigel Adams
Con
Sherwood
Defended the FA’s broadcasting arrangement, stating that it reflects current market trends compared to previous decades, confirmed ongoing dialogue with the FA about responsible betting practices, and acknowledged concerns over problem gambling, promising a review of the deal.
Layla Moran
Lib Dem
Oxford West and Abingdon
Critiqued the Minister's response to Bet365’s new accounts issue, questioned the FA's stance on data harvesting from vulnerable users, and called for stronger action beyond renegotiation.
Jeremy Wright
Con
Kenilworth and Southam
Highlighted that bad decisions like the current arrangement risk undermining progress made in addressing gambling-related issues, stressed the need to monitor any increase in problem gambling resulting from such deals and advocated for a cost recovery model where Bet365 and FA would cover monitoring expenses.
Barnsley South
Raised concern over an expected rise in child gambling addiction, questioning whether the deal could exacerbate the situation with around 70,000 children at risk.
Acknowledged the football community's efforts on mental health and questioned if this sponsorship deal undermines those initiatives, also congratulated a new MP to her seat and wished luck to Scunthorpe United.
David Linden
SNP
Glasgow East
Pointed out that betting companies target low-income demographics disproportionately and questioned the comparison with cricket sponsorship arrangements, suggesting possible disparities in targeting and investment.
Philip Davies
Con
Shipley
Argued for measures tackling problem gambling rather than symbolic gestures, suggested some MPs' concerns were out of touch with working-class needs who benefit from free access to football through sponsored services.
Justin Madders
Lab
Ellesmere Port and Bromborough
Described the deal as emblematic of how money undermines football integrity, questioned the necessity for multiple subscription channels for premier league matches and highlighted the need for more grassroots investment from broadcasting revenues.
Chris Bryant
Lab
Rhondda
Challenged the assertion that a significant amount of FA cup rights money goes to grassroots football, suggesting instead it should be directed towards nurturing local talent and facilities through direct funding mechanisms.
Asked about medical treatment improvements for individuals affected by gambling issues, highlighting the link between gambling and health.
Seema Malhotra
Lab Co-op
Feltham and Heston
Addressed ethical questions regarding fair rules, Government responsibility to protect vulnerable groups from exploitation, and highlighted the excessive salary of Bet365 CEO as indicative of systemic issues requiring fundamental reform.
Nigel Adams
Con
Selby and Ainsty
Mr. Adams emphasises the need to review the gambling legislation, mentioning that Bet365 conducts beneficial work in his region but criticises the company's handling of broadcasting rights and executive compensation. He acknowledges a mental health crisis among young men linked to gambling addiction.
Jason McCartney
Con
Colne Valley
Mr. McCartney raises concern about a mental health crisis affecting young men, attributing it partly to gambling addiction. He asks the Minister for an update on whether increased investment by gambling companies in tackling problem gambling has had any impact.
Nigel Adams
Con
Selby and Ainsty
Mr. Adams agrees that gambling addiction is a significant issue among young men, leading to severe mental health crises, and expresses concern about the lack of progress despite companies' investments in tackling problem gambling.
Government Response
I have spoken at some length to the FA since this broke. The arrangement has been in place for some time; the 2017 contract was a rollover of a deal. The Government have asked the Football Association to look at all avenues to review this element of its broadcasting agreement. This element of the broadcast arrangement is for matches that are not chosen for the FA cup online broadcast or do not kick off at 3 pm on a Saturday, and it does open up the opportunity for plenty of other games to be watched, but we have asked the FA in no uncertain terms to look at the deal and to see what opportunities there are to rescind this particular element. I will be meeting face to face with the FA next week. Acknowledged the concerns raised, stating that work has started on reviewing the Gambling Act. Mentioned progress such as a commitment to ban in-game advertising and showing games on the FA's website from next year. Defended FA's broadcasting arrangement with IMG, acknowledged concerns over responsible betting practices, promised a review of the deal in light of public opinion and outlined progress in establishing NHS clinics to assist those suffering from gambling issues.
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