GPA welcomes move in Betting Industry

The Gaelic Players Association welcomes the decision taken by a number of gambling companies today to end the practice of offering betting opportunities on U-18 sports.

The GPA will continue to monitor the impact of practices associated with the gambling industry on our athletes, including the use of players and Gaelic games as vehicles to commercially market and promote their products in above and below the line marketing and advertising practices.

The GPA is committed to on-going education and awareness programmes for players and remains committed to protecting the integrity of our games (http://www.protect-integrity.com/union-pages/eire-ireland/gaelic.html).

Gambling addiction has been identified as a growing concern for county footballers and hurlers over the past number of years with 2015 showing the highest growth in numbers presenting with gambling addiction.

As well as the immense reputational damage and personal devastation gambling addiction can have on a player and those close to him, the issue poses a very real threat to the reputation of inter-county football and hurling in general if the integrity of the games is compromised.