100 signatures reached
To: Southampton Football Club
Southampton FC: Kick gambling ads out of football!
I want Southampton FC to cancel all existing partnerships with gambling companies, to reject future partnerships, and to back The Big Step campaign.
Why is this important?
My husband had a lifelong addiction to gambling, which was spurred on by his love for football - especially Southampton FC.
He passed away nearly 10 years ago now and I miss him every day, but memories of the harm caused by gambling have stayed with me. Every time I see a gambling advert in football it is a painful reminder of what this addiction stole from us.
He supported Southampton all of his life and in his memory, I am urging his club to get rid of all gambling partnerships - especially on their shirt.
I know the devastation caused by gambling and advertising played a huge role. There were many times he was trying to stop and would be lured back in by them. They need to be banned.
There are 409 deaths related to gambling every year in England alone.
A YouGov study from this year shows that 2.9 million people are either already addicted or at risk of being so, with a further 3.3 million classified as “affected others”. These stark figures show what we already know: gambling harm is not an issue affecting just a small minority, it is severely harming – sometimes killing – many.
To prevent any young fan from experiencing what my husband and so many others did, I'm urging Southampton to cancel all gambling partnerships, say no to any new offers, and back The Big Step campaign.
