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This in from the Edmonton Oilers, news that they will have a “Play Alberta” logo on their hockey jerseys this season. PlayAlberta is the Alberta government’s sports betting corporation.

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In a press release, the Oilers said: “The deal will see the Play Alberta logo featured prominently on the Oilers home jerseys and GameSense, AGLC’s responsible gambling program, displayed on the helmets of the Oilers for each home game. PlayAlberta.ca is a leader in the iGaming landscape in the province. All money generated through the site goes to the General Revenue Fund, which supports programs and services that Albertans rely on every day. In addition, the website has integrated AGLC’s GameSense and Self-Exclusion programs to better support players in their gambling journey. This past year, PlayAlberta.ca generated $235 million in net sales, an increase of more than $42 million from 2022-23. That number contributes to the $1.5 billion in total gaming revenue that’s sent to Alberta’s General Revenue Fund and supports programs and services that Albertans rely on every day.”

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The social media reaction to the move was almost entirely negative, as Edmonton Oilers fans vented against both advertising on the sweater and the Oilers making this deal with a gambling company.

Here are some of the highlights:

Carolyn Miller @Carolyn14848461
So disappointing that a betting logo is on the new jersey. Gambling can destroy lives, I don’t think it should be promoted. It’s bad enough seeing all these gambling adverts.

K-JAM @KevinJamieson86
This is cringe.

Dave Champion @Champion_Dave
Shameful. Gambling is an epidemic and you’re now fully advertising it to kids.

Daniel Gilchrist @35bulinwall35
Ewwww

tylerc_17
Money talks as usual. Shameful.

josh_plant97
Sending hate from Manitoba. You guys made us proud keeping ads off the jerseys initially. Embarrassing that money outweighs legacy.

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robmacphe
Does management actually think people are gonna cheer about this?

Ron Prochner @RonProchner
They can do whatever they want with the jerseys they wear but they shouldn’t force the fans to buy jerseys with the logo.

Paul Almeida @AzorcanGlobal
I’m not crazy about gambling ads but it was inevitable that the #Oilers would have a jersey sponsor. Gambling ads today are equivalent to what beer, alcohol & tobacco ads were at sporting events in the 80s. They pay the bills but the message is not favourable.

Zaz Oil Online @ZazOilOnline
The Oilers have jersey ad!!! Was once a few teams that didn’t have one now except a gambling logo on the front. The Oilers signed Draisaitl to $14M and next McDavid, they need income, hahah.

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Moe Banga @MoeBangaYeg
Hate it.

Kirk @KirkMac74
Who cares? Winning the cup is what’s important

Evan Renaerts @revingev
Bad look but in Alberta look at the oilers 50/50. It’s insane so fans complaining are really about look not that it’s about gambling.

X-HugSpecialist @OilersAlbMom
A very sad announcement really – why are you supporting something so addictive it is ruining families every day? Very disappointing

theBurlyChef @theBurlyChef
OEG continues to put profit above the community. Disappointed but not surprised

Doppa D @Doppa_D
From a business perspective it makes sense I guess, but I find it slightly tacky. This logo will not be on jerseys that are sold commercially, correct?

Morgan Laidler @MorganLaidler
Really? Couldn’t go with literally anything else huh?

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Rob Rollingson @Retrospect89
No one likes this except for the people who make money off of it. It sucks to see a jersey that is held as precious and sacred to many fans defiled in the name of unbridled wealth. But this is the reality of market incentives. Who cares if the fans hate it, there’s $ to be made.

Barry Kachur @Tehbigbear8
BOOOOO. That looks awful 😂

Michael Billig @michael_billig
Home jerseys ruined

Marni Panas @marnipanas
All Oilers fans: “Don’t put adds on the jerseys!”
Everyone: “Stop promoting gambling all the time!”
Oilers: 🙄

Mark Holmes @MarkHolmes1326
I have a better idea. Don’t do that.

VanceInLA @vanceinla
Crass vs class. Understandable with teams or leagues (CFL) struggling for revenue, but this is just greed. Mr. Katz should be slightly embarrassed.

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Tanya Corbin @TanyaCorbinEdm
Is there not something inherently unethical feeling about a sports team sponsored by sports betting?

Troy Sitko @TroySitko
Gambling isn’t family friendly entertainment. You’re going to lose the next generation.

Darren Donohue @oilers_84
The person that gave the ok to sell ads on the jersey needs to be removed from the building. Even if that person is the owner.

Gerry Mercer @gerrymercer
Great. Whatever. Who cares?

X-Jen @JenTiale
Ugh.

Bill Bison @bcjames44
Like sports gambling doesn’t get enough exposure already. This is a terrible idea.

Harry Bossack @iamdannybailey
Garbage

x – Waddsy @waddsy19
It’s so trashy…the fact that they’re promoting gambling makes it infinitely worse.

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Adam Stephens @YegSportsJunkie
If they win games jt could be any logo and i wouldn’t care . This is just the way thing are now.

Arpeggi @TheWeirdestFish
This is blasphemy of the highest order.

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