MLAs Triumph Over TDs In Gambling Awareness Match

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


The TDs and MLAs were joined by football, rugby and GAA gamers to unite for The Big Step five-a-side tournament which was organised to highlight the direct exposure of young individuals to betting advertising in sport.


Philip McGuigan, Robbie Butler, Stephen Dunne and former 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 gamers from The Big Step project, 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 press reporter James Gould, TD Aidan Farrelly, Finn McGrath from the All Party Group Secretariat, and Sinn Fein TD Ruairi O Murchu (Liam McBurney/PA)


The event was also 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, said: "Everyone has a casino in their pocket through their smart devices. It is more crucial than ever that we highlight the threats of gambling advertising in soccer."


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


"This needs to be substantially decreased to resolve the 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 current cross-border report by Maynooth University and Ulster University revealed that youths throughout the island of Ireland are exposed to "exceptionally high levels of betting marketing" through telecasted sports programs and social networks content, 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 said Northern Ireland is now the only jurisdiction amongst the UK and the Republic of Ireland without upgraded betting legislation in the internet era.


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


They keep in mind how legislation was presented last year to establish a betting regulative authority in the Republic of Ireland and impose strict controls on betting advertising, including a broadcasting watershed.


Members of the APG have actually composed to Sport and Media Secretary Lisa Nandy to urgently present comparable limitations on gaming marketing.


Speaking with the PA news company, Mr Butler celebrated the MLA team's 6-1 triumph over the TDs.


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


On the topic of gambling, he stated the APG was not a "prohibitionist" group but included it was essential to highlight the dangers associated with the practice, including addiction, poverty, poor mental health and suicide.


The deputy leader of the UUP, who pulled a hamstring throughout a match, stated the APG wished to send out a collective message to Westminster that gambling marketing was a "severe issue" to be attended to.


"Gambling is among those addicting matters we need to see much better legislation around," he stated.


Mr Feighan, the captain of the TDs, stated the island of Ireland has "difficulties" with betting.


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


Michael Carvill, president of Professional Football Players Northern Ireland, said: "We think there must be a practical reduction in gambling promotion within the video game to assist safeguard players, fans, and particularly young individuals from potential damage."


One man who had actually been personally affected by betting dependency said Friday's tournament was a "great" effort.


Declan Cregan, a training and engagement officer for Chapter One, stated his love of sport had actually been ruined by gambling in the past.


After starting with a ₤ 1 bet at the age of 16, he said "things extremely quickly got a hell of a lot worse" to the point his last bet ten years later on was for ₤ 4,500.


"It was an extremely challenging ten years for me, but regrettably not simply for me - it impacted a lot of parts of my life and people in my life. My psychological health was impacted also."


Mr Cregan, who now deals with a body intended at decreasing the harm of gaming in society, stated: "Sport would be a much safer location if gambling advertising was kicked out."


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