Tag Archives: James Grimes

Aston Vila’s BK8 deal prompts backlash for ‘explicit’ ad history

SBC News Aston Vila's BK8 deal prompts backlash for 'explicit' ad history

BK8 has been named a new partner of Aston Villa, although the betting company has been criticised for producing ‘sexually provocative adverts’. This controversial sponsorship, first reported by The Telegraph, is likely to see the operator’s branding placed on the shirts of the Premier League team. James Grimes, Founder of the Big Step campaign against gambling sponsorship, told The Telegraph: …

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Newsnight places gambling reform conflicts under the spotlight

SBC News Newsnight places gambling reform conflicts under the spotlight

Last night, the long-awaited conclusion of the UK government’s review of the gambling industry was put under the spotlight by Newsnight – the BBC’s flagship news and current affairs review programme. Dedicating a 30-minute segment to “the government’s rethink of gambling laws”, Newsnight reported on the “cost of gambling addiction and opportunities for reform”.  Led by BBC correspondent Anna Collison, …

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Big Step makes Scottish football debut with Edinburgh City partnership

SBC News Big Step makes Scottish football debut with Edinburgh City partnership

Edinburgh City FC has become the latest football club, and the first in Scotland, to partner with Gambling with Lives’ Big Step initiative. A grassroots project, the Big Step’s primary aim is to ‘kick gambling ads out of football’, and has the backing of several MPs including the Labour Party’s Carolyn Harris, Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on …

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Big Step campaign calls for Euro 2020 gambling ad suspension

SBC News Big Step campaign calls for Euro 2020 gambling ad suspension

A group of 60 gambling law reform advocates have joined the Big Step campaign in calling for a suspension of gambling advertising during this summer’s UEFA European Football Championship. An initiative of the Gambling with Lives charity, the Big Step has detailed its suggestions in a letter to several broadcasters and media outlets covering television, radio and online verticals, including …

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Forest Green Rovers joins campaign against gambling sponsorship

SBC News Forest Green Rovers joins campaign against gambling sponsorship

Forest Green Rovers FC has become the first professional English football club to call for a ban on gambling sponsorships, joining national campaign The Big Step. Part of the Gambling with Lives charity, the Big Step calls for an end to sponsorship promotion and advertising of gambling in football, and was founded to raise awareness of the ‘growing dependence’ of …

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Billericay Town FC raises awareness of safer gambling with new partnerships

Billericay Town FC raises awareness of safer gambling with new partnerships

Billericay Town FC has committed to raising awareness of safer gambling initiatives after confirming its new partnership collective with the Big Step, Gambling with Lives, GamFan, RecoverMe, GamBan, and the All Bets Are Off podcast. From 27 November until 4 December, the National League South team will ‘signpost fans and followers to groups that assist with gambling addiction such as …

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Swansea City partners with Big Step to launch gambling awareness programme

SBC News Swansea City partners with Big Step to launch gambling awareness programme

Gambling harm reduction charity, Big Step, has signed a deal with Swansea City FC in what has been described as a “trailblazing new partnership” for English football.  The football-focused gambling education programme, which is part of the ‘Gambling with Lives’ charity, will work with the Championship club to raise awareness of the risks of betting on sport and compulsive behaviours. …

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