AFL reviews rules on betting-agency deals

THE AFL has reviewed its guidelines covering sponsorship agreements between AFL clubs and sports wagering providers following recent changes in state government legislation concerning wagering advertising.
 
AFL chief operating officer Gillon McLachlan said on Friday the AFL had advised clubs they would be allowed to sign sponsorship agreements that do not provide access to AFL or AFL club intellectual property so long as the betting agency has a product fee and information-sharing agreement with the AFL.

The AFL currently has such agreements – which cover issues including signage, ticketing and hospitality – with Tabcorp (TAB Sportsbet, Luxbet), Betfair, Betezy, Sports Acumen, IAS Bet, Sportingbet and Racing Odds.
 
The AFL also said it would consider on a case-by-case basis approval of major sponsorship agreements between AFL clubs and sports wagering providers that do provide access to AFL or AFL club intellectual property, provided that the agency has had a product fee and information-sharing agreement with the league for 12 months or one AFL season.

McLachlan said the guidelines change recognised long-term agreements with existing wagering partners that allowed the league to access betting information relating to its matches and events under the AFL's integrity rules.
 
The review follows Government changes allowing wagering providers to advertise outside of the state in which they are licensed.
 
No AFL player or club official is allowed to bet or provide confidential information for wagering purposes on any AFL match or event. 

Two AFL clubs, Richmond and Melbourne, have yet to announce major sponsorship deals for 2009 and beyond.