Politician joins special NI gambling awareness football match

A very special football match was played in Belfast on Friday 16 August, just hours ahead of the start of the Premier League season.

The match was played to raise awareness of the serious harms of gambling addiction across the island of Ireland and to encourage sports clubs to sign up for Chapter One information and training programmes. Figures show that 2.3% of the Northern Ireland population is struggling with gambling, and in the Republic, between 130,000 and 200,000 (1 in 30) people each year are affected by gambling harm.

Among those to lace up their boots was Philip McGuigan MLA, the Chair of the All-Party Group on Reducing Harm Related to Gambling, along with many others in recovery from gambling addiction, including GwL’s Declan Cregan and James Grimes.

“Education and early intervention are key to preventing gambling harms. We know from the recent APG report that gambling is a significant public health issue in Northern Ireland, meaning that the whole population is vulnerable to addiction and harm from gambling products that are addictive by design,” said Philip.

“That’s why the prevention work that Gambling with Lives does to give young people in sports clubs across NI full information about the risks of gambling is so important and has our full support”

Philip McGuigan MLA, Chair of the APG on Reducing Harm Related to Gambling

Declan, who is in recovery from gambling addiction too, also played in the match and now delivers prevention sessions to staff and players at sports clubs for Chapter One, an information, training and support hub for everyone affected by gambling, part of GwL.

“It’s been a real privilege to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with others in recovery from gambling addiction – and to have the support of Philip and the APG – to play this match today,” said Declan.

“Football brings so much joy to people, but it can also be a route into gambling addiction and misery for many, including myself. That’s why it’s so important that we’ve played this game today and showed that sport can be a force for good. I’d encourage as many sports clubs as possible across the island of Ireland to sign up to Chapter One prevention sessions and help prevent gambling harm in their communities.”

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