Increasing ‘gamblification’ of sport now a public health crisis

Being in Ireland for July, I got to see some hurling and follow Limerick as they marched into the All-Ireland. Reading the programme for the Limerick v Kilkenny All-Ireland, one page stood out. It was a full page on a GAA campaign called “Reduce the Odds”.

The campaign is about promoting the GAA’s Code of Conduct on the regulation of betting and gambling by its members. There are two key elements to the Code. First, it prohibits sponsorship by a betting company of any GAA competition, team, playing gear or GAA facility. Second, it prohibits players, team management, or match officials from betting on games in which they are involved.

The GAA’s move to sever its ties with betting companies and their bottomless pots of sponsorship means it is one of the first sporting organisations worldwide to do so.