Football under fire for in-stadium betting

Football clubs in the UK are under fire for encouraging gambling addiction, outlined in the Daily Telegraph newspaper.

According to the publication, both Premier League and EFL clubs are guilty of opening up betting shops with what campaigners call ‘honey-trap’ club branding.

It cites League One club Sheffield Wednesday as first to partner with William Hill to open a Home Shop in its stadium that campaigners fear will attract young supporters. It says that eight Premier League clubs are following this example.

Aston Villa, meanwhile, have launched an in-stadium partnership with William Hill.

Charities Gambling With Lives and Big Step are voicing their worries.

“We are concerned that this is a cynical way to attract football fans into gambling and that I could be particularly attractive to children who might not know it was separate from their club,” said the former charity.