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 signed up with by football, rugby and GAA gamers to unite for The Big Step five-a-side competition which was organised to highlight the direct exposure of young people to betting advertising in sport.


Philip McGuigan, Robbie Butler, and former gaelic footballer Justin McNulty were among 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 joined 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 Stephen 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 gambling establishment in their pocket through their smart devices. It is more vital than ever that we highlight the threats of betting marketing in soccer."


The Sinn Fein MLA, who has actually spoken about his own issues with gambling addiction in the past, included: "The English Premier League is extremely popular here, and the gaming logo designs on shirts, stadium billboards and TV adverts are unrelenting.


"This requires to be significantly decreased to attend to the general public health gambling epidemic we presently deal with."


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 showed that youths across the island of Ireland are exposed to "exceptionally high levels of betting marketing" through telecasted sports programs and social media material, much of which emanates from Great Britain.


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


Organisers stated Northern Ireland is now the only jurisdiction among the UK and the Republic of Ireland without upgraded gaming legislation in the internet age.


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


They note how legislation was introduced in 2015 to develop a betting regulative authority in the Republic of Ireland and enforce rigorous controls on gambling advertising, consisting of a broadcasting watershed.


Members of the APG have composed to Sport and Media Secretary Lisa Nandy to urgently present comparable constraints on betting marketing.


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


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


On the subject of gaming, he said the APG was not a "prohibitionist" group however added it was necessary to highlight the risks associated with the practice, including dependency, hardship, poor mental health and suicide.


The deputy leader of the UUP, who pulled a hamstring during a match, stated the APG wanted to send out a collective message to Westminster that betting advertising was a "major concern" to be attended to.


"Gambling is one of those addicting matters we require to see much better legislation around," he said.


Mr Feighan, the captain of the TDs, said the island of Ireland has "difficulties" with gaming.


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


Michael Carvill, primary executive of Professional Football Players Northern Ireland, stated: "We think there need to be a sensible reduction in betting promo within the video game to assist protect gamers, fans, and especially young people from prospective damage."


One guy who had been personally impacted by gambling addiction stated Friday's competition was a "fantastic" effort.


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


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


"It was an extremely tough 10 years for me, but regrettably not just for me - it impacted so lots of parts of my life and individuals in my life. My psychological health was affected as well."


Mr Cregan, who now works with a body intended at minimizing the harm of betting in society, stated: "Sport would be a much more secure location if betting advertising was kicked out."


He said he would support a "blanket ban" on gambling marketing similar to the watershed in the Republic of Ireland.