Note: In Australia, the term “punter” is used for “gambler” or “bettor”.
By Adam Pengilly, The Sydney Morning Herald
Australia’s gambling giants will ban punters who threaten and abuse professional athletes on social media under a “no tolerance” policy to protect sports stars.
In a proactive response to a week of headlines about footy players being subjected to extreme online comments such as death threats, Responsible Wagering Australia has promised a “line in the sand” for keyboard warriors who lose bets.
Melbourne Storm ace Ryan Papenhuyzen said he had been regularly abused and blamed by punters for unsuccessful wagers, and supported AFL’s Brisbane Lions star Mitch Robinson, who lashed those who had sent him death threats.
RWA, which is a representative body of Australia’s wagering industry, contacted the country’s two major codes on Friday to inform them they would bar any punters identified as abusing or threatening athletes on social media.
The move was quickly endorsed by ARL Commission boss Peter V’landys, who has also dealt with jockeys and trainers being scolded online for perceived bad rides and below-par performances from horses in his role as Racing NSW chief executive.
“I welcome their stance,” V’landys said. “Any type of abuse on social media should not be tolerated and some of the things on there are completely and utterly ridiculous. If you can’t take a loss then you shouldn’t be betting.”
Rest is here
