Under the initiative, which will take place over the final three games of the Premier League season, the club and the charity will produce advertisements and promotional materials intending to raise awareness of the risks of gambling.
In addition GambleAware related messages will appear on advertising hoardings around the pitch and on screens throughout the clubs 26,000 capacity Selhurst Park stadium.
Speaking about the initiative on the clubs website, Crystal Palace Chairman, Steve Parish, said: “As a Premier League club, we recognise our responsibility of helping promote safe and responsible gambling.
“I’m pleased that Crystal Palace is the first club to form a partnership with GambleAware, and I hope we can play a part in raising awareness about their service and help those individuals who need support.”
Marc Etches, Chief Executive of GambleAware, added: “This is an important first step towards a deeper and broader action plan to address the ever-closer relationship between gambling and football.
“As the first professional football club to make this commitment, Crystal Palace is setting a great example to other clubs, and not only those with gambling sponsors because all benefit from the income that flows from television deals funded by the ever-growing amount of gambling advertising around live sport.”
Crystal Palace are one of nine Premier League clubs that are currently sponsored by gambling related businesses, concluding a multi-year, record breaking sponsorship deal with ManBetX in June 2017.
Jon Collins, Director of ManBetX, added: “ManBetX are committed to helping people gamble responsibly and welcome the club’s involvement with GambleAware. As the official shirt sponsor of Crystal Palace FC, we have an added degree of responsibility to support those who offer help and free advice to ensure people gamble responsibly, both within football and the wider community.”
