The Canberra Raiders have joined the ACT Brumbies in search of a major sponsor for next year.
The CFMEU/Tradies Club is understood to have chosen not to renew its contract with the NRL club due to uncertainty over future revenue streams caused by possible changes to gambling legislation.
Tradies Club chief executive Rob Docker said a proposed precommitment system for pokies would have major implications on his club's ability to provide funding to events and organisations in the community.
''Any executive of a club this size needs to be very mindful of the environment that might be forced upon us in the next few years to do with how clubs operate,'' Docker said.
The CFMEU/Tradies Club has been the Raiders' major sponsor since 2007.
While no announcement has been made about its involvement next year, the Tradies' logo was noticeably missing when the Raiders unveiled their new home jersey for the 2012 season at their final home match against Penrith last month.
A Raiders spokesperson said confidential discussions were continuing with two parties about replacing the Tradies. The Raiders are hopeful a deal can be struck before the end of the year.
The Brumbies are also on the hunt, with CA Technologies having opted not to extend its naming rights arrangement into a 13th season. Both the Raiders and Brumbies had disappointing seasons.
The Raiders finished 15th with just six wins from 24 games, the club's most losses since 1982. Their Super Rugby counterparts didn't fare much better, running 13th with four wins, 11 losses and a draw.
The Raiders will look for positives from their year at tonight's end-of-season presentation.
Defensive workhorse Shaun Fensom is favourite to collect the Mal Meninga Medal after a season in which he surpassed Alan Tongue's record for most tackles in a year.
The gala event will be the final farewell for several players including winger James Stuart, who will join Queensland Cup side Burleigh Bears next year.
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