The Football Supporters’ Association (FSA), and GambleAware have created an online ‘safer gambling hub’ that contains resources to inform football fans about the risks of impulsive betting, as part of its ongoing BeGambleAware campaign.
The hub will include links to materials from BeGambleAware’s “Think Twice or You’ll Bet Regret” campaign, including posters, stadium materials and videos, as well as tips for gamblers to avoid impulsive betting.
“The inventory we have created for the digital hub are all part of our Bet Regret campaign, and throughout this football season we have been working hand in hand with the FSA to help educate fans across the country about safer gambling and the risks of impulsive betting,” Marc Etches, chief executive of GambleAware, said.
Responsible gambling advocacy and funding body GambleAware explained that the aim of the hub is to raise awareness of impulsive gambling and to help fans recognise the behaviours that can turn a player from a low-risk bettor into someone with a gambling problem.
“Betting when drunk, bored or chasing losses are the key characteristics we’re trying to educate fans to avoid, particularly with the plethora of opportunities to bet on football at everyone’s fingertips,” Etches said.
Etches added that, given the current debate about the prevalence of gambling in football, the partnership between the FSA and beGambleAware has come at an extremely important time.
“We know that from our own research with the FSA and recent news coverage that fans themselves are concerned about the relationship between gambling and football,” Etches added. “By using these assets we are looking to work together with members of the footballing community, to help promote safer gambling amongst fans in the UK.”
David Rose, deputy chief executive of the FSA echoed this sentiment and said the FSA would work to encourage clubs to use the hub and make its resources available to their fans.
“Supporter groups have real concerns about harmful betting and impulsive gambling behaviours among some football fans,” Rose said. ”We’ll be helping fans across the country lobby their clubs on the issue and get the safer gambling message out there. Football clubs have a unique position in their communities – so this is something they need to take seriously.”
