Professional Footballers’ Association of Ireland Solicitor Stuart Gilhooly recently said betting agencies should not be allowed to advertise at sporting events. He said gambling addiction is “the greatest unspoken mental illness in the country. It is a big issue for young people, but sports people particularly because they have time on their hands.” He added, “I think it is the most misunderstood mental illness in this country and worldwide. It is going to become a huge issue.”
Gilhooly also called for the World Anti-Doping Agency to be more understanding of athletes who test positive for recreational drugs. “Nearly every club has a betting partner. The FAI has a betting partner. The point is that everywhere you look you are being encouraged to take a bet and some people can’t handle it,” he said.
Gilhooly represented Shelbourne soccer player Craig Walsh, who was banned from playing for one year after testing positive for cocaine. Walsh, who had a severe gambling addiction, originally was banned for two years, the mandatory minimum term under WADA rules.
“What happened with Craig is that he was suffering from a chronic gambling addiction. He lost a lot of money one night and went on a bender. At the end of that bender he was offered cocaine. He took it. It was the only time he had ever done it. He played a match two days later and a drugs test was done after it,” Gilhooly said.
He noted, “I think WADA need to relax their rules. I think people in that situation need help. They don’t need punishment.”
