Rugby League

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Gambling Sponsorship Code of Conduct

The Rugby Football League has launched a Code of Conduct for the sport covering sponsorship agreements with gambling companies. The Gambling Sponsorship code fulfils a policy proposal for all sports set out in the Government’s 2023 Gambling White Paper and demonstrates rugby league’s commitment to ensuring all gambling activity associated with the sport is undertaken in a responsible way.

Rugby League’s Code of Conduct has been developed by the Rugby Football League in conjunction with the RL Commercial, stakeholders across the sport, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and the Betting and Gaming Council. The Code aims to ensure that minimum standards for social responsibility are implemented in all sponsorship agreements with gambling companies.

In publishing the Code, we ask that all rugby league clubs, competitions and participants commit to following the four general principles of the wider Sports Sponsorship Gambling Code when entering into sponsorship arrangements with betting companies. These are:

  • Reinvestment into sport
  • Maintaining sportng integrity
  • Protecting children and young people
  • Ensuring the promotion of betting is undertaken in a socially responsible way

The RFL and RL Commercial will work with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) on monitoring the impact and level of compliance with the measures set out in the Code. An operational review of the Code will be undertaken after twelve months to address any issues learned from the implementation process.

The Code can be accessed here.

Current Betting Partnerships

As at the date the Code was implemented the sport had a game wide betting partner in Betfred who are the title partner for the Men’s and Women’s Super League, Wheelchair Super League, Championship, League One, Challenge Cup and England team.

There are no other betting sponsorships within the sport.

Queries about application of the Code

Please email enquiries@rlcommercial.co.uk outlining your query. Please allow up to 28 days for a response.

Appeal

Should your concern not be resolved to your satisfaction then a review of the decision will be undertaken by the RFL Non-Executive Director responsible for Welfare and Safety. Details of how to contact and progress an appeal will be provided at the time of the outcome being provided.