Swansea City manager Russell Martin has welcomed Premier League clubs’ decision to ban gambling sponsorship in the form of branding from the front of the players’ match day jerseys.
He speaks of a personal experience when he was eight years old. During that time his father was suffering from gambling addiction and the family lost their home due to his inability to finance his gambling habits.
I had to move house when I was eight years old because my dad lost the house because he was a gambling addict. Then, we moved to a house opposite the bookmakers, which was really good for my dad, but not very good for the rest of us. The impact it could have on a good day – winning loads of money – and then the impact it can have negatively when losing, was horrific. Having to live with that atmosphere in your household all the time is really tough.” Russel Martin, Head Coach – Swansea City
Martin says he is willing to support effort to limit gambling sponsorship in professional football. Responsible gaming is important and gambling without limitations can be “horrific” he said, adding that it has negatively impacted some of his former team-mates.
Premier League withdraws sponsorship voluntarily
Recently Premier League football clubs have agreed to remove gambling branding off the front of their matchday jerseys. This is expected to come into force by the end of the 2025-2026 season. After the implementation of the ban, teams will still be permitted to feature gambling sponsors on shirt sleeves and LED advertising.
Right now eight top-tier clubs advertise the branding of? major gaming operator on the front of their match-day jerseys. This generates annual revenues estimated at around US $74.6 million.
Martin argued that it is tough for football fans and it makes no sense for them to “stand outside the bookmakers for three hours” when they want to go and watch the game. He believes that there is enough money and funding in the Premier League to sustain itself and function without the excessive sponsorship with gambling operators.
Although he is aware that he will be viewed negatively for voicing his negative views on the issue, he feels the problem needs to be addressed and considered in light of the social impact on society.
We are talking about social responsibility for such a worldwide product. It needs to do its bit. So the fact that they’re finally doing that is good and I’m pretty sure all the clubs involved will go and find a sponsor that is willing to give them, if not as much money, then somewhere close.” Russel Martin, Head Coach – Swansea City
Russell Martin Foundation
36-year old Russell Martin is a professional football manager and former player. He is the manager of Premier League Championships Club Swansea City.
Martin, a former defender, began his career at Brighton & Hove Albion’s development academy. In 2004, he made his debut for Wycombe Wanderers before transferring to Peterborough United in 2008. Martin joined Norwich City in 2010 and appeared in 309 games for the club. He later played for Rangers, Walsall, and Milton Keynes Dons. He played for Scotland and appeared in 29 Scotland internationals. He took over as manager of Milton Keynes Dons in 2019 and will take over as manager of Swansea City in 2021.
Martin launched the Russell Martin Foundation in his hometown of Brighton, which was first set up as a football academy. The charity’s mission is to harness “the power of football to help change people’s lives” by giving local residents access to football, education, and health courses. Martin has been a vegan since 2014, primarily for health concerns as he attempted to control ulcerative colitis.
Aside from football, he is co-owner of Erpingham House, the UK’s largest vegan restaurant and practises Buddism. He is a member of the Green Party in the UK.
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