Essendon had become the latest club in the Australian Football League (AFL) Aussie rules competition to turn its back on commercial partnerships with betting companies.

The team, which has this year experienced record levels of commercial revenue, will no longer consider deals with companies related to gambling.

Chief executive Xavier Campbell said the decision is based on curbing the impact gambling messages have on members such as children and young adults, with the club willing to endure "short-term financial pain".

"This decision wasn't made lightly, particularly with the revenue a wagering partner can deliver," Campbell said.

"We have a fantastic group of commercial partners and we will be directing our energy to nurturing these existing relationships, as well as establishing new partnerships with like-minded companies."

Essendon becomes the latest team to have distanced itself from partnerships with gambling companies, following in the footsteps of Collingwood, Hawthorn and the Western Bulldogs.

North Melbourne has stated that it will not take any gambling revenue at all.

The move comes despite the AFL itself having a sponsorship deal in place with Beteasy.

The Northern Territory-licensed wagering operator in April signed a five-year deal that is said to be worth as much as Aus$50 million (€34.4 million/$38.5 million) to the league.

In addition, Carlton, Fremantle, Greater Western Sydney, Richmond St Kilda and Port Adelaide have commercial partnerships with betting agencies, while Adelaide, Sydney and West Coast have sponsorship deals with casinos.

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