Church: Youtube star’s boxing bout is encouraging gambling

THE Church of England has condemned Youtube for allowing two of its biggest stars to promote gambling, ahead of a boxing match billed as one of the biggest-ever internet events.

The fight between KSI, a British vlogger, and Logan Paul, a US vlogger, is be- ing live streamed on Youtube, and they are charging their millions of young followers $10 (£7.50) each to watch.

The bout will take place in a ring branded with material promoting Mansionbet, a Gibraltar-based gambling firm which is one of the main sponsors of the event in the Manchester Arena.

Between them, KSI, whose real name is Olajide Olatunji, and Paul have 37million followers, most of whom are teenagers. Industry rules, however, ban targeting advertising, marketing or sponsorship at under-18s.

Alan Smith, the bishop of St Albans, said: “It is deeply worrying that a gambling company is working with two well-known Youtube stars to stage an event that appears to encourage young people to bet. Gambling addiction is a major social problem costing the country millions and the majority of at-risk gamblers are young men aged 16 to 34, to whom this sort of event is likely to appeal.”

The build-up to the fight has also been characterised by the pair trading sexist insults, threats of violence and degrading abuse in order to boost ticket and internet sales.

Paul, who previously was accused of having misogynistic lyrics in one of his songs, threatened to “beat the s---” out of KSI.

Lauren Seager-smith, chief executive of Kidscape, said those profiting from the event “need to take their responsibilities to these children seriously” and urged caution for those letting children watch the event.

“We would urge KSI, Logan Paul and the team around them to consider the impact of their words and actions on their many young followers,” she said.

James Mildred, of CARE, a charity that has campaigned on under-aged gambling, said: “This is a gambling firm deliberately targeting the Youtube generation, despite the restrictions on advertising to under-18s.

“The involvement of sponsors from the world of gambling speak volumes about the dominating profits. The children are the ‘mugs’ to be exploited,” he said.

Youtube said it had not been involved in setting up or marketing the fight. Any content that breached its guidelines would be removed.

The gambling commission indicated it could enforce fines if there was evidence a firm had targeted sponsorship at an audience where more than 25 per cent of the audience were under-18s or if the event was “of particular appeal” to children.