GPA must prepare for a gambling epidemic

Gambling has received the makeover of the century.

In the adverts, the punters are always having a good time, and in the press releases, they are always winning.

A strange thing has been happening to some GAA squads during the past few years. For no obvious reason, players have started to go AWOL. All of a sudden, they just vanish from the team. One day they are there. The next day, they’re gone. After discreet enquiries, an off- the-record briefing resolves the mystery. We are told ‘Johnny’ has a chronic gambling problem and is receiving treatment. Those unaware that a gambling epidemic is swiftly heading our way should be under no illusions. Gambling is the new booze.