The Australian Rules Football League (ARFL) has conceded it erred in taking down an anti-wagering initiative from its online platform.

The push, “Adore the sport, not the stakes,” was withdrawn from the ARFL website and social media channels after a mere seven days, with the ARFL alleging a clash with its wagering collaborator, Sportsbet. The initiative was initially slated to continue for a month.

Financed by the Victorian Foundation for Responsible Gaming (VFRG), the initiative showcases athletes from Victorian ARFL teams joining forces to advocate for responsible wagering. It is presently airing on all major television and radio broadcasts in the state.

While the ARFL endorsed the initiative, it did not directly apprise the VFRG of its choice to pull it from its own channels. Nevertheless, the ARFL has confessed that eliminating the initiative from its website was a blunder.

“The ARFL has a longstanding alliance with the VFRG, and a recently reserved online initiative on the ARFL website was mistakenly taken down,” an ARFL representative stated.

“The ARFL anticipates continuing to collaborate with the VFRG and promoting their crucial responsible wagering messaging across the ARFL’s channels.”

Adding to the VFRG’s dismay, global sports platform ESPN also withdrew the initiative.

“The vast majority of Victorian ARFL enthusiasts are apprehensive about the presentation of sports wagering advertisements to young individuals,” remarked VFRG chief executive Shane Lucas.

Ten Victorian Australian Rules Football teams are ending partnerships with betting sponsors.

The clubs are dissatisfied with the AFL and ESPN’s decision to remove their “Love the game, not the odds” initiative from broadcast. While the AFL claims it was an error and will reinstate the campaign, these teams are taking a stand. They are asserting that wagering has no place within the sport they cherish.