Study finds alcohol and gambling sponsors dominate every NRL and AFL club

The Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education has released a report indicating that each NRL and AFL club this season features an alcohol sponsor, and that gambling firms are attached to every NRL club and five AFL clubs. Financially, the leagues receive roughly $50 million per year from betting partners in the NRL and $30-40 million in the AFL, with SportsBet contributing about $10 million to each code. Advertising from these sectors has expanded into women's competitions as well.

Labor's draft reforms would limit gambling ads on TV and ban them on player jerseys, but critics argue the measures fall short, while the Australian Communications and Media Authority is poised to rule on alcohol ad restrictions during matches. Advocacy leaders, including Ayla Chorley, David Pocock and Erin Lalor, are urging tougher bans, citing links between such advertising and family violence and youth drinking.