Leicester City FC: Kick gambling ads out of football!

In April 2021, my husband Luke Ashton took his life because of gambling.

The gambling operators didn’t stop him, instead they gave Luke so-called “free bet” bonuses so that he would gamble more, even when he was trying to stop.

Apart from his family, Leicester City FC was Luke’s biggest passion. So it is beyond saddening that LCFC has the most gambling partners of any English club. What example does this set to young Foxes fans and the tens of thousands of people harmed by gambling in our community – including people whose lives have been shattered after losing loved ones to gambling? How do LCFC’s gambling partnerships, coupled with the broad range of undisputable evidence that shows gambling is addictive and harmful – leading to 409 suicides a year in England alone – fit with the club’s safeguarding policy to protect its staff and young supporters?

After Luke died, I made a vow to take our son to every Leicester City home game. We had kept to that, but soon he no longer wanted to go. He asked me why they had the word “bet” and other gambling adverts flashing incessantly around the pitch? His eyes are drawn to them, they are inescapable, and he sinks into his seat when he sees them. What do you say to a child that loves football but has lost his dad to the very thing that’s being advertised as fun around his club’s stadium?

To prevent any other families from going through what we’ve gone through, I’m asking Leicester City FC to commit to ending its relationships with all its gambling partners, to say no to any new partners, and to back The Big Step campaign.