MLAs Triumph Over TDs In Gambling Awareness Match

A group of Northern Ireland MLAs has triumphed over deputies from the Republic's Dail in a football match to raise awareness about gambling-related harm.


The TDs and MLAs were joined by football, rugby and GAA gamers to unite for The Big Step five-a-side competition which was arranged to highlight the exposure of young people to betting marketing in sport.


Philip McGuigan, Robbie Butler, Stephen Dunne and previous gaelic footballer Justin McNulty were amongst MLAs representing the Assembly while TDs Aidan Farrelly, Ruairi O Murchu, Darren O'Rourke and Frankie Feighan lined out on behalf of the Oireachtas.


They were signed up with by players from The Big Step campaign, the Professional Footballers Associations for Northern Ireland and Ireland, the Gaelic Players Association and Rugby Players Ireland.


UUP MLA Robbie Butler, Sinn Fein TD Darren O ´ Rourke, DUP MLA Dunne, Fine Gael TD Frank Feighan, SDLP MLA Justin McNulty, Sinn Fein TD Joanna Byrne, Sinn Fein MLA Philip McGuigan, Fine Gael TD Brian Brennan (front row) Cool FM chief reporter James Gould, Social Democrats TD Aidan Farrelly, Finn McGrath from the All Party Group Secretariat, and Sinn Fein TD Ruairi O Murchu (Liam McBurney/PA)


The occasion was likewise supported by the Northern Ireland Assembly's All Party Group (APG) on Reducing Harm Related to Gambling.


Mr McGuigan, chairman of the APG on Reducing Harm Related to Gambling, stated: "Everyone has a casino in their pocket through their mobile phones. It is more crucial than ever that we highlight the risks of gambling advertising in soccer."


The Sinn Fein MLA, who has discussed his own issues with gambling addiction in the past, included: "The English Premier League is extremely popular here, and the gambling logos on shirts, stadium billboards and TV adverts are ruthless.


"This requires to be considerably minimized to resolve the public health gambling epidemic we presently face."


Finn McGrath (centre left) from All Party Group Secretariat in action against Sinn Fein TD Ruairi O Murchu (centre right) (Liam McBurney/PA)


A recent cross-border report by Maynooth University and Ulster University revealed that young individuals across the island of Ireland are exposed to "exceptionally high levels of gambling marketing" through televised sports programmes and social media content, much of which emanates from Great Britain.


The Big Step is a campaign run by Gambling With Lives to end all betting marketing and sponsorship in football.


Organisers said Northern Ireland is now the only jurisdiction amongst the UK and the Republic of Ireland without updated betting legislation in the internet age.


Fine Gael TD Frank Feighan (left) in action against SDLP MLA Justin McNulty (Liam McBurney/PA)


They note how legislation was introduced last year to develop a gaming regulative authority in the Republic of Ireland and impose stringent controls on betting advertising, consisting of a broadcasting watershed.


Members of the APG have composed to Sport and Media Secretary Lisa Nandy to urgently present similar restrictions on gambling marketing.


Talking to the PA news company, Mr Butler commemorated the MLA group's 6-1 triumph over the TDs.


Sinn Fein MLA Philip McGuigan shoots during the match (Liam McBurney/PA)


On the subject of betting, he said the APG was not a "prohibitionist" group however added it was important to highlight the dangers connected with the practice, consisting of dependency, hardship, bad psychological health and suicide.


The deputy leader of the UUP, who pulled a hamstring throughout a match, stated the APG wished to send a collective message to Westminster that betting marketing was a "major problem" to be dealt with.


"Gambling is one of those addictive matters we need to see much better legislation around," he stated.


Mr Feighan, the captain of the TDs, stated the island of Ireland has "challenges" with gambling.


The Fine Gael TD said that while he bets "a bit" himself, there was a need to do more to safeguard individuals "from the scourge of betting".


Michael Carvill, chief executive of Professional Football Players Northern Ireland, said: "Our company believe there should be a sensible reduction in betting promotion within the game to assist protect gamers, fans, and specifically young people from possible damage."


One man who had actually been personally impacted by gambling dependency said Friday's competition was a "wonderful" effort.


Declan Cregan, a training and engagement officer for Chapter One, said his love of sport had been messed up by gambling in the past.


After starting off with a ₤ 1 bet at the age of 16, he stated "things very rapidly got a hell of a lot even worse" to the point his last bet 10 years later was for ₤ 4,500.


"It was a very tough ten years for me, but regrettably not simply for me - it impacted numerous parts of my life and individuals in my life. My mental health was affected as well."


Mr Cregan, who now deals with a body aimed at reducing the damage of betting in society, stated: "Sport would be a much more secure location if gambling marketing was kicked out."


He stated he would support a "blanket restriction" on betting advertising comparable to the watershed in the Republic of Ireland.