4TH “BIG STEP” PROTEST AGAINST GAMBLING ADVERTISING IN FOOTBALL

Hundreds of people in the UK joined protests calling for an end to gambling advertisements in football over the weekend. 

In an initiative called the Big Step, around 300 people, including several Members of Parliament and the families of gambling addicts who committed suicide, walked to their local football stadiums to demand change. 

It was the fourth Big Step protest since 2019, and was likely muted due to ongoing COVID-19 restrictions banning large gatherings. A petition is also being put together, with organisers pledging to deliver it to 10 Downing Street when it reaches 10,000 signatures.

Protest organiser James Grimes, a received gambling addict, told the BBC; “We are trying to amplify the voice of people with lived experience. I lost every single penny I had in the world on a lunch break and went home, cried, hid in my room, turned my phone off for three days, lost my job and I probably was suicidal.”

The latest protest action was timed to coincide with the British government’s review of the 2005 Gambling Act – submission of evidence for which must be made by 31 March. 

With around 75% of Premier League and 87% of Championship clubs currently having commercial deals in place with gambling companies, the consequence of any ban could be far reaching for the British football industry. 

#TheBigStep – March 6th & 7th 2021 #WalkingForChange

🚶‍♂️ 300+ people

🥾 3000 miles

👣 7 MILLION STEPS

📝 7700+ signatures

📢 1 message to football and government:

⚽️ Stop promoting gambling.

To everybody that walks and stands with us, thank you.https://t.co/NagsYqjTi7 pic.twitter.com/jFbsad6vqN

— The Big Step (@the_bigstep) March 7, 2021

AYO.NEWS says:

With each day that passes, it looks increasingly likely that the UK will follow the path of Italy and Spain, and ban gambling advertisements in sport. Should the gambling industry just accept times have changed, voluntarily end all sponsorship arrangements now, and at least save some face, rather than courting even more negative coverage in the popular press?