By Mark Baber
June 19 – Sporting Chance, the charity set up by former England and Arsenal defender Tony Adams to support players with addiction problems, says the majority of its referrals are now gambling-related and that on-line bookies are actively targeting players with their aggressive marketing techniques.
Formed in September 2000, Sporting Chance, which is supported by the Professional Football Association, provides support, counselling, treatment, and aftercare to sportsmen and women who are suffering from addictive illnesses such as alcoholism, drug abuse, compulsive gambling and eating disorders.
The charity reckons around 60 percent of its referrals from football are now gambling-related and has treated more players addicted to betting in the last 12 months than during any corresponding period since it was set up. Cash-rich players are being lured by online bookmakers with “free bets that run in to sums of thousands of pounds” as well as commissions for introducing new customers.
Sporting Chance chief executive Colin Bland told the Daily Telegraph: “It would be difficult for an alcoholic to get sober whilst living in a pub or a crack addict to get well while continuing to visit the crack house.”
“We are not anti-gambling and can quite obviously see the investment that some gambling companies have made in sport for the good. However, I also harbour a view that aggressive targeting and marketing is compounding a growth in gambling problems not only in sport but in wider society.”