New betting partner

[Sutekh]

https://www.readingfc.co.uk/news/2025/j ... g-partner/

[Orion1871]

Yuck.

[RoyalBlue]

IMO, even if we are desperate for money, this is not a good move and look for what professes to be a family club. Gambling ruins far too many lives.

[SouthDownsRoyal]

It brings in revenue and is par for the course now.

What a world we live in now with football that a club has an official betting partner

[RoyalBlue]

It brings in revenue and is par for the course now.

What a world we live in now with football that a club has an official betting partner

Indeed. The game is happy to take that industry's money but quick to jump on anyone associated with a club who gets drawn into its clutches.

Makes me wonder where football will draw the line, as it constantly strives to increase revenues.

[From Despair To Where?]

If everyone feels that strongly about it then maybe we should withdraw from any competitions sponsored by betting companies.


Unfortunately football betting has always been big business, starting with the pools, and that's never going to change. I don't have any particular problem with this over and above the wider picture and, as fans, we're going to be bombarded with gambling advertising regardless. At least this way, we may have some albeit limited input into one aspect of it.

To be fair though, I don't gamble.

[WestYorksRoyal]

A big moral grey zone. I enjoy the occasional bet or casino trip, but I know the industry doesn't really profit from people like me in a big way, it makes much much more from problem gamblers. Its relationship with sport and football in particular is pervasive and inescapable.

Would I prefer Reading were not involved with this? Probably. Do I blame the club for entering into this? Not really, it's a symptom of a much bigger problem. Blame the governments from New Labour until now who have deregulated and allowed the gambling industry to run wild.

[From Despair To Where?]

Maybe the club could use some of the revenue to sponsor a local addiction counselling service?

I don't want to seem insensitive to people's concerns, as I said, I don't gamble but I do think that when we play in a league sponsored by a betting company and there are numerous teams who have a betting company as a main sponsor, this is a drop in the ocean.

[Snowflake Royal]

IMO, even if we are desperate for money, this is not a good move and look for what professes to be a family club. Gambling ruins far too many lives.

Should the club stop serving alcohol as well then? That ruins lives too.

[SouthDownsRoyal]

If everyone feels that strongly about it then maybe we should withdraw from any competitions sponsored by betting companies.


Unfortunately football betting has always been big business, starting with the pools, and that's never going to change. I don't have any particular problem with this over and above the wider picture and, as fans, we're going to be bombarded with gambling advertising regardless. At least this way, we may have some albeit limited input into one aspect of it.

To be fair though, I don't gamble.

I don’t feel strongly about it. Betting companies are plastered all over everything to do with football now, fine it’s a revenue stream.

I just think having a “betting partner” is a sad state of affairs really.

[SouthDownsRoyal]

IMO, even if we are desperate for money, this is not a good move and look for what professes to be a family club. Gambling ruins far too many lives.

Should the club stop serving alcohol as well then? That ruins lives too.

Football ruins lives too.

[Snowflake Royal]

IMO, even if we are desperate for money, this is not a good move and look for what professes to be a family club. Gambling ruins far too many lives.

Should the club stop serving alcohol as well then? That ruins lives too.

Football ruins lives too.

[From Despair To Where?]

If everyone feels that strongly about it then maybe we should withdraw from any competitions sponsored by betting companies.


Unfortunately football betting has always been big business, starting with the pools, and that's never going to change. I don't have any particular problem with this over and above the wider picture and, as fans, we're going to be bombarded with gambling advertising regardless. At least this way, we may have some albeit limited input into one aspect of it.

To be fair though, I don't gamble.

I don’t feel strongly about it. Betting companies are plastered all over everything to do with football now, fine it’s a revenue stream.

I just think having a “betting partner” is a sad state of affairs really.

It's just PR speak for sponsor. I guess if people are going to bet on the football regardless, then why not do it with a company that invests in the club.

[SouthDownsRoyal]

If everyone feels that strongly about it then maybe we should withdraw from any competitions sponsored by betting companies.


Unfortunately football betting has always been big business, starting with the pools, and that's never going to change. I don't have any particular problem with this over and above the wider picture and, as fans, we're going to be bombarded with gambling advertising regardless. At least this way, we may have some albeit limited input into one aspect of it.

To be fair though, I don't gamble.

I don’t feel strongly about it. Betting companies are plastered all over everything to do with football now, fine it’s a revenue stream.

I just think having a “betting partner” is a sad state of affairs really.

It's just PR speak for sponsor. I guess if people are going to bet on the football regardless, then why not do it with a company that invests in the club.

True. What does baffle me is why anyone would choose a betting app because they have their name on your clubs shirt. You’d chose one that you liked the app or has the best odds.

But it must work.

[From Despair To Where?]

I don’t feel strongly about it. Betting companies are plastered all over everything to do with football now, fine it’s a revenue stream.

I just think having a “betting partner” is a sad state of affairs really.

It's just PR speak for sponsor. I guess if people are going to bet on the football regardless, then why not do it with a company that invests in the club.

True. What does baffle me is why anyone would choose a betting app because they have their name on your clubs shirt. You’d chose one that you liked the app or has the best odds.

But it must work.

Because they're going to offer deals for Reading supporters.

[SouthDownsRoyal]

It's just PR speak for sponsor. I guess if people are going to bet on the football regardless, then why not do it with a company that invests in the club.

True. What does baffle me is why anyone would choose a betting app because they have their name on your clubs shirt. You’d chose one that you liked the app or has the best odds.

But it must work.

Because they're going to offer deals for Reading supporters.

What deals?

[rabidbee]

I assumed that this is mainly about begging at the ground?

[From Despair To Where?]

True. What does baffle me is why anyone would choose a betting app because they have their name on your clubs shirt. You’d chose one that you liked the app or has the best odds.

But it must work.

Because they're going to offer deals for Reading supporters.

What deals?

Just going by the article on the club site announcing the deal.

[Sutekh]

IMO, even if we are desperate for money, this is not a good move and look for what professes to be a family club. Gambling ruins far too many lives.

Should the club stop serving alcohol as well then? That ruins lives too.

And stop playing football. But then recent seasons have seen Reading making terrific inroads on that front.

[RG30]

Absolutely no issue with this. Good move by the club. Brings in additional revenues at a time when the owners have stated the need to generate more money.