Photo Credit: Brisbane Heat
Queensland Cricket and the Brisbane Heat have announced they have signed their first partnership with the Queensland Government’s Department of Justice to be Gambling Harm ambassadors this summer.
The Heat today helped launch Gambling Harm Awareness Week (GHAW) 2023 with KFC BBL and Weber WBBL players joining with the Minister for Health, Mental Health and Ambulance Services and Minister for Women and Member for Waterford Shannon Fentiman for the event in Loganholme.
WBBL players Georgia Redmayne and Courtney Sippel, and BBL players Matthew Kuhnemann and Will Prestwidge were on hand to confirm the agreement that will cover the 2023-24 cricket season.
Queensland Cricket General Manager – Sales and Partnerships Adam Dale said the partnership to promote Gambling Harm Awareness was a first for Queensland Cricket.
“The Brisbane Heat looks forward to spreading the message about responsible sports betting through the WBBL and BBL competitions this season,’’ he said.
“With so many families making Heat matches an integral part of their summer, we believe this partnership can enhance the conversation around gambling and promote that sport can be enjoyed without the need to bet on the outcome.”
“It is important that we utilise the club’s profile to assist with educating fans about making sensible decisions around sports betting, when they attend Heat games at the Gabba, Allan Border Field and Great Barrier Reef Arena this summer.”
The theme for Gambling Harm Awareness Week (GHAW) 2023 is ‘Safer gambling, we all have a role to play’ and it is a call to action for all Queenslanders to play their part in minimising harm.
Around 70 per cent of adult Queenslanders gamble and last year they spent almost $6 billion on the pokies, playing keno and lottery, gambling at casinos and online wagering.
In recent years we have seen a substantial increase in sports and race betting nationwide, with young Australians aged 18-34 most often increasing their bets in response to advertising on TV or online.
In Queensland, research conducted this year has found more than half of young people aged 14-25 surveyed, felt that betting on sport is part of Queensland’s culture.
According to the survey of sports fans, while Queensland women spend around half the amount that men spend on gambling, the spend gap between males and females narrows substantially when looking at young sports bettors aged 18-25.
That’s why the Queensland Government has partnered with Queensland Cricket to raise awareness of the risks associated with sports betting amongst young people and families, and the free 24/7 support that’s available.
