Some well-known soccer players in the Premier League have recently come to the attention of the authorities, concerning gambling. Ivan Toney from the Brentford club and Sandro Tonali from Newcastle United, are but a few.

It is a widespread societal issue.

The GAA’s  gambling awareness campaign, ‘Stop Before You Just Can’t Stop’, is designed to help people recognise behaviours associated with problem gambling and to assist them access support services available to them.

The campaign is funded by Gambling Awareness Trust and by Problem Gambling Ireland. The GAA’s work in gambling awareness acknowledges research that highlights athletes as an at-risk group when it comes to problem gambling. The timing of the campaign launch – during the reopening of society in Q1 2022 – also recognises reports of a significant increases in online gambling during the pandemic.

The GAA’s new gambling awareness campaign, ‘Reduce the Odds’, aims to protect the wellbeing of GAA members and the integrity of Gaelic Games.

The campaign reinforces the ground-breaking decision by GAA Congress 2018 to prohibit the sponsorship by a betting firm of any GAA competition, team, playing gear, or facility.

Specifically, the campaign aims to:

inform all members of the Association’s rules relating to gambling

highlight research identifying athletes as an at-risk group in relation to problem gambling

signpost persons in need of help to support services available in Ireland

The campaign’s tier’s approach also included the distribution of awareness posters to every club in Ireland. A gambling awareness presentation and club gambling policy, designed by the GAA’s Community & Health Department, will also be made available to all interested clubs.

GAA rules governing the area of gambling include the successful 2017 motion to Congress prohibiting any player, team, member of a management team, or match official, from betting on any element of a game in which they are involved. The monitoring of this rule has been strengthened by the recent development of memorandums of understanding (MOU) between the GAA and the Irish Bookmakers Association and Betfair / Paddy Power. The MOUs allow for the sharing of sensitive information should either party suspect that their rules or terms and conditions have been broken. Sanctions include suspension and possible disbarment from the Association.

The MOUs allow for the sharing of sensitive information should either party suspect that their rules or terms and conditions have been broken. Sanctions include suspension and possible disbarment from the Association.

The campaign message is clear: if you feel you are exhibiting any of the behaviours associated with problem gambling and want to ‘stop before you can’t stop’, avail of the services provided by ProblemGambling.ie. Their professional support can make all the difference.

Uachtarán CLG, Larry McCarthy, said:

“The GAA has taken unrivalled steps to decouple Gaelic Games from gambling. However, problem gambling remains a societal issue of concern; one that has negatively impacted the lives of numerous GAA players and their loved ones. Through this campaign we encourage any GAA member who may be concerned about their gambling to access as early as possible the supports that are proven to help one deal with problem gambling.”

The ‘Stop Before You Can’t Stop’ campaign reinforces the ground-breaking decision by GAA Congress 2018 to prohibit sponsorship by betting firms of any GAA competition, team, playing gear, or facility.

Galway hurler, Davy Glennon, is supporting the campaign. Having experienced the devastation of gambling addiction, he said: “I never thought I could become addicted to gambling when I started betting. I had no idea of the potential consequences of what started out as a bit of fun. I’m delighted to support the GAA’s campaign to ‘Reduce the Odds’ and I hope that the posters and the presentation keep other players and members fully aware of the GAA’s new rules but also of the risk to their wellbeing. I recommend anyone that is concerned about their gambling to seek help sooner rather than later. Reaching out helped save my life.”

To highlight the prevalence of the issue, Paddy Power again recently sought to make the next few words of advice available to assist persons.

They have said;

“A few pointers for getting it right. Firstly, Jobs are for making money but gambling is for entertainment. Treat it as an entertainment expense, like a ticket to that 18th Fast and Furious film down the cinema, rather than a way to make money.

Only gamble with money you can afford to lose.

Know your limits, and be clear about them before you start betting.

Take a break. Gambling continuously without taking a break will impact your judgement.

Don’t gamble when you’re upset or depressed. Talk to friends or family or use the support contacts

Do other stuff. Sometimes less is more, so make gambling a part of a well-balanced lifestyle.

Don’t go chasing bets. Set your limits, stay in control.”

For more information on the campaign contact community.health@gaa.ie

For further information on problem gambling visit gamblingcare.ie