THE GAA AND Gaelic Players Association today released a set of guidelines in the hope of educating its members about gambling.

In recent years, a number of high profile inter-county players including Offaly’s Niall McNamee and former Armagh forward Oisin McConville have spoken out about their gambling addictions with the GPA confirming that a third of the calls made to their helpline service are gambling-related.

Speaking at today’s launch of two booklets to be distributed nationwide, GAA president Liam O’Niall explained that next to depression, gambling is seen as the second highest problem affecting GAA members.

“Problem gambling is becoming a growing concern in modern Ireland,” O’Neill said.

“As part of the GAA’s on-going work in the area of health and wellbeing, the Association felt it timely to produce this booklet of basic guidelines as an educational resource for our players, members, and clubs.

This document aims to assist GAA members in identifying what problem gambling is and to encourage those who may be experiencing a difficulty to seek support and assistance.

“It also highlights the strict regulations and consequences – both within GAA rule and the broader laws of the land – regarding match-fixing or the use of insider information for the financial gain of the individual or team concerned, or any third parties involved.”

You can download the guidelines here

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