Steven Caulker and the influence of betting companies in football.

[cityexile]

At a quiet time during the international break, was struck to see this today..

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/steven-caulker-a4493b251_i-finally-landed-a-tv-job-or-at-least-i-activity-7129791696413839361-Aou2

On the face of it, appalling. Like other things an addiction some get completely swallowed up by. 

Time for football to put the money second for once, and to root out betting companies from football?

[ExiledAjax]

@cityexile thanks for highlighting it. Probably worth a screenshot for those who don't want to or can't go onto LinkedIn.

I suspect there's a bit more to the story but on the face of it it is a shame that Denise Coates et al are "nervous" about being associated with someone doing "positive work" around something that claims lives.

Edited November 14, 2023 by ExiledAjax

[Mr Popodopolous]

Nothing on the Stoke forum unless I've missed it..surprise.

It's funny too as well as Bet365 owning Stoke, Problem Gambling Mission Statement?

Edited November 14, 2023 by Mr Popodopolous

[cityexile]

8 minutes ago, ExiledAjax said:

@cityexile thanks for highlighting it. Probably worth a screenshot for those who don't want to or can't go onto LinkedIn.

I suspect there's a bit more to the story but on the face of it it is a shame that Denise Coates et al are "nervous" about being associated with someone doing "positive work" around something that claims lives.

Thank you.  Fair to add this is his perception and there may be other sides to the story, although he has put their comments in quotes.

[Mr Popodopolous]

Bet365 on Safe Gambling, from their own accounts. Or is this a red herring.

[ExiledAjax]

4 minutes ago, cityexile said:

Thank you.  Fair to add this is his perception and there may be other sides to the story, although he has put their comments in quotes.

Yep I'm happy to believe it's an accurate quote. And prima facie it is appalling. I wonder if there was any context surrounding it though - what was the TV job for example?

As much as I loathe gambling's influence in sport I'm willing to wait and hear Bet365 or the TV Company out on this before completing slamming them.

But again, thank you for posting it.

Just now, Mr Popodopolous said:

Bet365 on Safe Gambling, from their own accounts. Or is this a red herring.

It's what they have to say.

Edited November 14, 2023 by ExiledAjax

[Mr Popodopolous]

4 minutes ago, ExiledAjax said:

It's what they have to say.

At yes, box ticking, regulatory requirements.

Are they perhaps open to charges of hypocrisy?

Edited November 14, 2023 by Mr Popodopolous

[Mr Popodopolous]

Point E also looks a bit questionable either although there are 2 sides to every story.

[ExiledAjax]

From https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2023/nov/14/bet365-steven-caulker-gambling-football

Bet365 said in a statement: “Mr Caulker applied to appear as a guest on a video series solely sponsored by Bet365 which is only published on an online video platform (not TV) by one of our sports publishing partners. During the guest approval process, we became aware of Mr Caulker’s own negative experiences with gambling which he has spoken about openly.

“We welcome the excellent work Mr Caulker has done to raise awareness of problem gambling – however, as a betting company, we felt it would be inappropriate for Mr Caulker to appear on a Bet365 sponsored series of this type.

“In explaining these circumstances, we regret that our position was misstated by our media partner to Mr Caulker.”

The identity of the video platform Caulker was commissioned for is yet to emerge.