The League of Ireland is working to address problem gambling and gambling-related harm in Irish football, coming at a time of heightened regulatory focus on the industry’s societal impact in the country.
Earlier this week, the League announced the rollout of a new educational programme focused on gambling harm, in partnership with consultancy EPIC Global Solutions.
The programme has also secured the backing of the Football Association of Ireland (FAI), the National League Committee and the Professional Footballers Association of Ireland (PFA Ireland).
Mark Scanlon, League of Ireland Director, said: “As the League of Ireland grows each year, it is very important to work with all stakeholders including our players and match officials at the centre of the game to stress the importance of integrity at all levels.
“This partnership with EPIC also means we can also look to prevent potential gambling harm amongst our players. We know the vast majority of people gamble without an issue.
“But the seminars at our Academy clubs will be hugely beneficial and educate for the next generation of Irish footballers. We have seen the work that EPIC is doing with the English Football League and it’s having a measurable impact. We look forward to seeing that replicated in the League of Ireland.”
The programme will deliver training to football coaches, match officials and FAI staff. Training will include education around betting integrity protection.
Prominent footballers with lived experience of gambling harm, such as Dominic Matteo, Marc Williams and Scott Davies, will conduct in-person sessions discussing gambling harm.
The rollout will follow a similar model to a similar prevention programme organised by EPIC for the English Football League (EFL), a joint initiative with the league’s main sponsor Sky Bet.
Flutter Entertainment, Sky Bet’s parent company, will also be funding the League of Ireland initiative. The firm has Irish roots, having its origins in the merger between Paddy Power and Betfair, and maintains a HQ in Dublin.
Kevin Harrington, CEO of Flutter UK and Ireland, said: “As a major betting operator, we pride ourselves in leading the industry on safety and trust, and we take our responsibilities around protecting our customers and the integrity of sport seriously.
“As a global company founded in Ireland, we are incredibly proud to fund this independently provided three-year programme, supporting the League’s commitment to proactive prevention and education.”
The announcement comes amid the re-regulation of Irish gambling under the Gambling Act of 2024, which has launched a new regulator, the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRA).
This context has seen some pressure on the relationship between sports and gambling in Ireland as well as wider public and political concerns about the extent of gambling-related harm in the country.
Paul Buck, CEO of EPIC, said: “Following the success of similar initiatives we’ve delivered in elite sport, this prevention-based programme looks to empower players to recognise the signs of gambling harm, be more informed about their relationship with betting and better equipped to understand pathways to support.
“More significantly, the message is conveyed powerfully and with real meaning by individuals whom players are likely to respect – former footballers and athletes sharing their individual experiences in face-to-face sessions.
“They have encountered problems, and they simply did not have the same opportunity or education around prevention that we are now in a fortunate position to provide for the league. We are really pleased to be able to bring this training to Irish players.”