The Gaelic Players Association (GPA) is calling for a ban on gambling ads during live broadcasts of sporting events and has asked the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) to join the effort.
The players’ organization wants the ban written into GAA rules. According to SBC News, members are concerned in the aftermath of a 2019 Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) report that indicated 80 percent of those surveyed believe teammates engage in gambling on either a daily or a weekly basis.
“It was clear from the ESRI Report that gambling is an issue that concerns inter-county players,” said Paul Flynn, CEO of the player’s group. “The (reports) and other membership surveys allow us to listen to the voice of players and act accordingly. This information informs us of their views on issues of great importance to them and their playing experiences. This guides our policy developments and strategy initiatives.
“Both the GAA and the GPA have long been leaders in this area,” Flynn continued, “and we’ll now work with Central Council to take another big step towards removing the link between gambling and our games.”
In a statement on its website, the GPA confirmed that its representative Seamus Hickey would be campaigning for the development of a formal policy which would prohibit gambling advertising during live broadcasts of Gaelic football and hurling. If the proposal is approved, the policy would be “implemented as a rule change at GAA Congress 2021.”
The statement continued: “Gambling promotion during GAA games presents a heightened risk to the welfare of all members of the GAA but particularly children and those most vulnerable to the perils of this destructive addiction.
“The proliferation of online betting and the availability of betting advertising around Gaelic Games has helped develop a worrying cultural issue with gambling in the GAA.
“We believe that the GAA, through its relationships with its broadcast partners, has the ability to prevent the broadcast of gambling ads during matches. Removing this intrinsic link between inter-county games and betting advertising reduces the risk of vulnerable members of the association developing issues with problem gambling.
“The GPA provides 24/7 counseling support to all members and see first-hand the impact of gambling addiction on players who have accessed support. In light of the impact gambling addiction has had on many of our members, the GPA wishes to remove any direct link to gambling advertising and our members.”
