New Research shows Sports Gambling Problem New research into problem gambling amongst professional sportsmen has been published today at the PPF Conference at Edgbaston. The research shows that the problem gambling rate for professional footballers and cricketers is significantly and worryingly higher than the general population of young males. The key results are as follows: 6.1% of sportsmen would be classified as problem gamblers compared to 1.9% of young males in the general population Problem gambling rates are highest for players on lower incomes 25% of sportsmen had received responsible gambling education and 89% of these found the education helpful Heather Wardle, a Research Director at NatCen Social Research, said ” This research shows there is a significantly higher rate of gambling problems among professional sports people than the wider population. It is interesting to question why this might be. Is it due to a betting culture? Is it something about athletes’ personalities or perhaps a combination of these two?” Brendon Batson MBE, Chairman of the Professional Players Federation ” There is an urgent need to break down the stigma attached to problem gambling in sport. Sportsmen are a clear ‘at risk’ group and the whole of professional sport has a duty of care to these young men. We all need to work together to expand and improve the good practice that exists on education and treatment for problem gambling.” Click below to read the report. Notes 1) The independent research was based on confidential questionnaires from 170 professional footballers and 176 professional cricketers. 2) The initial findings were launched at the PPF conference on problem gambling in sport at Edgbaston Cricket Ground. For more information please contact Simon Taylor on 07726 627422. {{ak_sharing}}
