Dulwich Hamlet have announced they have joined the campaign to end all gambling advertising and sponsorship in football.
The Hamlet will support The Big Step, which is a grassroots campaign aimed at tacking football’s relationship with gambling. It is part of Gambling with Lives, a charity set up by family members and friends who have lost loved ones to gambling-related suicide.
The campaign has been supported by clubs such as Forest Green Rovers, Edinburgh City, Billericay Town, Lewes FC and Headingley FC.
And last month Bolton Wanderers said they would stop providing on-site betting at the University of Bolton Stadium or enter into any new commercial partnerships and sponsorships with firms from the gambling industry.
Rob Hyneman, community lead at Dulwich Hamlet FC, said: “Dulwich Hamlet FC is delighted to be partnering with The Big Step.
“Responsible advertising in the sports industry is something we are keen to widen the conversation about. Whether it’s junk food or betting, neither have a place in a sports arena where thousands come to watch their heroes each week.
“DHFC has already had a strong anti-gambling stance and this partnership fits perfectly with the club’s ethos.”
Founder of The Big Step, James Grimes, a former gambling addict, added: “We are thrilled to have the support of a progressive and community-driven club like Dulwich Hamlet.
“This is further acceptance of the harm caused by gambling ads in football and if reports are to be believed it’s looking like shirt sponsorship will be banned.
“But we must go further, and this is why this support from DHFC is pivotal and timely.
“For most of us involved with The Big Step, the harmful relationship between gambling and football was the gateway for years of addiction – if only our clubs had taken this stance, things may have been different for us.”
The club will mark the new partnership this Saturday when they return to National League South action at Champion Hill.
Gavin Rose’s side host Billericay Town. Kick-off in Dulwich is at 3pm.