Essendon Football Club has signed up to the Victorian Responsible Gambling Charter.

The initiative is backed by the State Government and aims to protect young people from the risks of gambling. 

The decision follows the commitment Essendon made in June to end commercial partnerships with betting and wagering agencies.

“We are proud to partner with Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation in this really important initiative,” Essendon’s Chief Marketing Officer Justin Rodski said.

“As a community leader, we made the decision earlier this year not to continue sponsorship with a wagering partner.

“Signing the responsible gambling charter and committing to the promotion of responsible gambling was an easy decision for the Club to make.”

The charter aims to separate ‘the game’ from gambling.

In becoming a signatory today, Essendon will endeavour to raise the awareness of the risks involved with gambling and minimise the exposure to gambling activities and advertising among young people.

“The proliferation of gambling is alarming, not just in the wider community, but also among young people under 18 years of age,” Rodski said. 

“We need to be doing as much as we can to promote responsible gambling and protect our younger generation of supporters from the media saturation of wagering advertising and marketing.”