Vic AFL clubs sign anti-gambling pledge

Six Victorian AFL clubs have signed up to keep young people away from gambling, but they haven't given up their pokie machines.

The Western Bulldogs, St Kilda and Essendon joined Collingwood, Hawthorn, and North Melbourne in signing a responsible gambling pledge on Monday.

They agree not to give gambling inducements as awards or prizes, and to promote responsible gambling.

They also won't make sponsorship deals with sports betting agencies to promote gambling to children.

But five of the clubs still make money from poker machines - North Melbourne is the only club not to own any.

"This is not an anti-gambling message. It's a commitment to minimising the exposure of gambling advertising and gambling culture on young people," Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation chief executive Serge Sardo said on Monday.

Gaming Minister Jane Garrett said the pledge was aimed at protecting the many young fans of AFL from getting involved in problem gambling.