MLAs Triumph Over TDs In Gambling Awareness Match

A team of Northern Ireland MLAs has actually thrived over 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 players to join for The Big Step five-a-side competition which was arranged to highlight the direct exposure of young people to gambling advertising in sport.


Philip McGuigan, Robbie Butler, Stephen Dunne and previous 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 gamers 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 press 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 casino in their pocket through their smart devices. It is more crucial than ever that we highlight the threats of betting advertising in soccer."


The Sinn Fein MLA, who has discussed his own problems with gambling dependency in the past, added: "The English Premier League is hugely popular here, and the gaming logo designs on t-shirts, stadium signboards and TV adverts are relentless.


"This needs to be considerably minimized to address the public health betting epidemic we currently 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 showed that young people across the island of Ireland are exposed to "incredibly high levels of betting marketing" through televised 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 betting advertising and sponsorship in football.


Organisers said Northern Ireland is now the only jurisdiction amongst the UK and the Republic of Ireland without updated betting 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 last year to develop a gambling regulative authority in the Republic of Ireland and enforce stringent 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 constraints on gaming marketing.


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


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


On the subject of gaming, he stated the APG was not a "prohibitionist" group but included it was necessary to highlight the threats related to the practice, including addiction, poverty, poor psychological health and suicide.


The deputy leader of the UUP, who pulled a hamstring throughout a match, stated the APG desired to send a collective message to Westminster that gambling marketing was a "serious problem" to be dealt with.


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


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 safeguard people "from the scourge of betting".


Michael Carvill, president of Professional Football Players Northern Ireland, said: "We believe there need to be a practical decrease in betting promo within the video game to assist protect gamers, fans, and particularly young individuals from possible damage."


One male who had actually been personally impacted by gambling dependency stated Friday's tournament was a "fantastic" effort.


Declan Cregan, a training and engagement officer for Chapter One, said 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 really rapidly got a hell of a lot even worse" to the point his last bet ten years later on was for ₤ 4,500.


"It was a really difficult 10 years for me, however unfortunately not just for me - it impacted so lots of parts of my life and individuals in my life. My psychological health was affected also."


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


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