League of Ireland to kick-off new gambling awareness programme for footballers

Ex-pros to run 70 face-to-face sessions as part of a new three-year commitment; over 2,000 players, across men’s and women’s senior teams and academy clubs will benefit from the training.

The League of Ireland has announced the rollout of an educational programme to proactively lead on the prevention of gambling harm in Irish football – a first-of-its-kind initiative for League of Ireland clubs.

EPIC Global Solutions – an award-winning consultancy currently working with several other major sporting bodies globally – will lead the sessions, which begin later this month.

Endorsed by the FAI, National League Committee and the Professional Footballers Association of Ireland (PFA Ireland) the programme will also see coaches, match officials and FAI staff receive this vital training.

Former professional footballers and athletes, who have personally experienced gambling harm in the past, will conduct the in-person sessions.

They include ex-EFL footballer Marc Williams, Scott Davies, who played for Ireland U21s and is now a player-manager at Slough Town & former Premier League star and Scotland international Dominic Matteo.

As part of the project, EPIC will also facilitate the delivery of UEFA standard betting integrity training in accordance with FAI rules.

The programme is funded by Flutter who supported EPIC’s launch of the world’s first gambling harm prevention programme in professional football eight years ago.

In 2017, EPIC launched the world’s first gambling harm prevention programme in professional football in partnership with Sky Bet (part of the Flutter family of brands) and the EFL. This collaboration had the goal of increasing preventative education and reducing harm and stigma in the game. Now in its eighth year, the programme’s impact is being positively felt by players, coaches, and youth academies, with more than 10,200 attendees since its inception. This remains the largest and most penetrative programme of its kind ever undertaken in European sport.

Today’s announcement means seventy individual workshops will be held for 32 Senior Teams (20 men’s and 12 women’s), 26 Academies, and 10 Women’s Development League teams at training facilities across Ireland with additional 2 sessions for FAI staff and League of Ireland Match Officials – reaching over 2,000 participants annually.

Breakdown of 70 sessions per annum at a glance:

• 32 sessions to senior LOI teams (20 Men’s & 12 Women’s)
• 26 sessions to LOI Academy clubs (U17s Men’s & Women’s)
• 10 sessions to Women’s Development League senior teams
• 1 session to League of Ireland Match Officials
• 1 session to FAI staff

League of Ireland director Mark Scanlon said: “As the League of Ireland grows each year, it is very important to work with all stakeholders including our players and match officials at the centre of the game to stress the importance of integrity at all levels.

“This partnership with EPIC also means we can also look to prevent potential gambling harm amongst our players.

“We know the vast majority of people gamble without an issue. But the seminars at our Academy clubs will be hugely beneficial and educate for the next generation of Irish footballers. We have seen the work that EPIC is doing with the English Football League and it’s having a measurable impact. We look forward to seeing that replicated in the League of Ireland.”

Speaking on behalf of the Professional Footballers Association, the union representing players, general secretary, Stephen McGuiness said: “This three-year partnership with EPIC and the League of Ireland is about safeguarding the future of our game. By delivering gambling awareness training to both male and female players at senior and academy level, we are ensuring that education and support reaches every player, regardless of where they are in their career.

“EPIC has an excellent reputation and a proven track record working with player organisations in Ireland, which gives us confidence in the quality and impact of this programme. We also look forward to former PFA Ireland members sharing their personal stories of how harmful gambling has affected their lives, bringing a powerful and relatable perspective to the training. Protecting player wellbeing and helping them make informed choices is a responsibility we take seriously and this initiative reflects our commitment to caring for players in the league of Ireland.”

Paul Buck, CEO of EPIC said: “Following the success of similar initiatives we’ve delivered in elite sport, this prevention-based programme looks to empower players to recognise the signs of gambling harm, be more informed about their relationship with betting and better equipped to understand pathways to support.

“More significantly, the message is conveyed powerfully and with real meaning by individuals whom players are likely to respect – former footballers and athletes sharing their individual experiences in face-to-face sessions. They have encountered problems, and they simply did not have the same opportunity or education around prevention that we are now in a fortunate position to provide for the league. We are really pleased to be able to bring this training to Irish players.”

Kevin Harrington, CEO of Flutter added: “As a major betting operator, we pride ourselves in leading the industry on safety and trust, and we take our responsibilities around protecting our customers and the integrity of sport seriously.

“As a global company founded in Ireland, we are incredibly proud to fund this independently provided three-year programme, supporting the League’s commitment to proactive prevention and education.”