F1 fans enraged by Liberty Media's gambling deal

Formula 1 fans reacted with fury after it was announced that Liberty Media has struck a deal that will see gambling advertised during grands prix. A five-year deal worth $100million was revealed by the Financial Times on Tuesday, after Bernie Ecclestone had resisted any kind of relationship with the betting world for 40 years.

As part of the deal betting sponsors will be able to advertise on electronic boards at race tracks and display graphics on-screen including, potentially, live odds on the race itself.

Managing Director of F1's commercial operations, Sean Bratches, told the Financial Times that deals such as this increase revenues to the teams and, therefore, should enhance the spectacle for the viewer.

However, many fans took to social media after the deal was announced to vent their frustration.

@MBrundleF1 Gambling in F1? A step too far? I think so. I know it’s extra cash for Liberty which can be used to support the sport but really, betting on which lap a car will crash on? Distasteful and grubby. Who’s to say some won’t be tempted to influence? #F1 #fia — David (@seti_yeti) September 19, 2018

Yuck. F1 is quickly dying IMHO. Liberty want to make F1 more popular and... have all their new little fans addicted to gambling? 13 years watching and I’m... growing weary. — JPBD (@Jerald_Von) September 18, 2018

Will potential F1 sponsors want to be associated with gambling in this extreme PC era? It will surely have a negative impact. Sad move by Liberty Media in my opinion — Brian Sims (@BrianSims4) September 18, 2018

New @F1 gambling deal will include in-play betting. MD @seanbratches says it will give fans “new ways to engage with the sport” . You can bet it will be new ways to lose money, further normalise gambling with sport and introduce more young people to gambling. #gambling — Alan Cooke Addiction (@alancookeaddic1) September 18, 2018

.@F1 promotes itself as progressive and bans grid girls, reducing models' work, then sells addictive life ruining gambling rights for $100 million. Banning grid girls was a marketing stunt. — Joe Ryland (@JoeRyland) September 18, 2018

Sponsored now by gambling and unhealthy "sports" drinks. Add boring racing and boring drivers with no personality - good bye F1 — what happened to reasoned evidenced based debate? (@sensiblebalance) September 18, 2018

I see this as BAD NEWS!
F1 Gambling ????
Liberty Media purchased F1 from Bernie Ecclestone in 2016 and now they plan to add betting, during the races. They also... https://t.co/PMjNTZX1cP — Reyn Mansson (@reynmansson) September 18, 2018

@F1 #F1 Gambling is the new alcohol - it is socially unacceptable to take money off people in the misguided belief they will somehow benefit. Gambling is for fools and will tarnish F1. Did you not see what happened to Wonga? — Ian Connor (@Ian_G7PHD) September 18, 2018

This is annoying me more as I think about it. "New, exciting ways for #F1 fans to engage with the sport" - How about "Scourge of gambling on modern society." Even Bernie wanted nothing to do with the gambling industry. It's a poor move. https://t.co/KvnZteFrt7 — Thomas Maher (@thomasmaheronf1) September 18, 2018

Not everyone saw the move as a negative step.

Liberty has made it clear that F1 had not maximised its commercial potential under Ecclestone and the American owners have moved to redress the balance.

Aside from the business sense behind the deal, others pointed out that gambling adverts would not convert all viewers into gamblers.

A great move from @F1. Will no doubt attract a new wave of viewers into the sport, and what a time to do so. #F1 #Gambling https://t.co/fzSnPytgpV — RedMonkeyCollective (@WeAreRedMonkey) September 18, 2018

A lot of people not happy with the gambling sponsor coming in to F1, but your happy with Alcohol sponsors, energy drink sponsors, Forex trading sponsors (a form of gambling?) and before that Tobacco sponsors ???? — Ryan Shaw (@RyanJShaw94) September 18, 2018

They are signing a contract, doesn't mean every f1 fan has to turn into a gambling addict. Barcelona had UNICEF on their shirts with everyone donate to that? Of course not. Don't see the problem I'm afraid — Scott Park (@Park2Scott) September 18, 2018