United States
United Kingdom
Summary:
- Taylor Swift was criticized by anti-gambling advocates for partnering with Crown Resorts
- There are concerns the partnership could encourage gambling among the youth
- Crown said its gaming venues are not part of the sponsorship agreement
Taylor Swift has come under fire from anti-gambling advocates after it emerged that her upcoming Australian tour will be sponsored by Australian casino operator Crown Resorts.
The American singer-songwriter this week announced additional dates for the international leg of her Eras tour, with Australia included.
Swift-Crown Partnership Could Promote Gambling
Swift’s Australian concert is being advertised as “presented by Crown” based on the latest posts of concert promoter Frontier Touring. Anti-gambling experts have expressed concerns the partnership might entice young people to engage in gambling.
The Reverend Tim Costello, the chief advocate for the Alliance for Gambling Reform, said Swift should rethink her decision to be associated with an embattled casino operator that was found guilty of money laundering and had the worst predatory gambling practices in Australia.
There seems to be a lack of due diligence on the part of Swift’s management as the partnership was allowed to push through, Costello suggested.
The deal’s financial details and the perks Swift is entitled to under the arrangement are uncertain, but looking at Crown’s past partnerships with major sporting events like the Grand Prix and the Australian Open, popular athletes and their teams enjoyed free accommodation at the resort.
Responding to criticisms, Crown said its gaming venue isn’t in any way involved in the sponsorship agreement, saying the deal was solely with its Crown Metropol hotel. The partnership allows Crown to offer pre-sale access for Swift’s Australian tour under a hotel package.
Crown Melbourne Chief Executive Mike Volkert said they’re proud to help bring Swift’s Eras tour to Australia which will boost Melbourne and Sydney’s economies.
Crown Desperate to Rebuild Reputation
Charles Livingstone, gambling researcher and Associate Professor at Monash University, said Crown will do everything in its power to restore its reputation and one way to do that is to associate itself with one of the most popular and influential figures in the entertainment and music industry.
Sponsoring Swift, who has tens of millions of fans and followers across the globe, is a no-brainer for Crown as it will help the group present its brand as something “positive”. Crown will want to partner with Swift regardless of the costs, out of desperation to rebuild its reputation, Livingstone stated.
Crown recently agreed to a massive $450 million penalty with financial crimes watchdog AUSTRAC over serious and systemic anti-money laundering breaches. The casino operator was found unfit to hold a gaming license in Australia and was acquired by private equity giant Blackstone in June 2022.
