Displaying items by tag: gaming compulsions

Former Arsenal captain Tony Adams has said gambling is a far more common vice among football players than alcohol or drugs. The charity Sporting Chance, which helps current and retired athletes with a wide range of addictions, warned that professional football is facing a gambling ‘epidemic’ and predicted that gaming addiction will be one of the sport’s next major issues. Alcohol and drug addictions have been eclipsed by gambling as the most prevalent addiction for footballers. In rugby league prescription drugs are quite prevalent; in other sports, cocaine. Bolton Wanderers cut all ties with betting firms after issuing a statement acknowledging that lives are being ruined by problem gambling. There is also growing concern about the increase in professional footballers having gaming addictions. There may now need to be a gaming clinic. Both Sporting Chance and the Professional Footballers’ Association have said that clubs are now asking for help with controlling players’ gambling problems.