New Swedish Study Links Professional Athletes & Problem Gambling

Online gambling is a popular industry, netting billions of pounds around the world every year. While it offers a great platform for entertainment, it is not without a few vices. Gambling Problems are prevalent throughout the world, and it is the primary initiative of ethical gambling regulators to curb the risks of addiction in their respective regions. This is not as easy as it sounds, as sometimes their attentions are so focused on one type of socio-economic group, that other groups in society may be overlooked.

Perhaps not many people would make the linkup between problem gambling and Elite Athleticism, but it does exist.  This part of society is sometimes over-looked because wealthy people are hardly ever tied to gambling or to problems for that matter. Our error is in thinking that the need for money is the main trigger for gaming, forgetting that there are often far more triggers than we realise.

Football star Wayne Rooney has spoken openly about his past gambling addiction issues. These were most prevalent when he played for Manchester United Football Club and the English national team. His initial trigger was in fact boredom. All the hotel hours between games and during tours made way for plenty of idle time where he got bored and sought out other means of entertainment. He goes on to say, “It didn’t feel like real money. It wasn’t like I had to go into a bookie and put bets where there are limits.”

“Because of Rooney’s past problems with Gambling, his current sponsorship by 32Red at Derby County has been questioned. Derby has however stated that Wayne’s salary is paid by them and not by the betting platform.”

Wayne has come clean on his past for one reason – to try and help players understand the risks involved in gambling and prevent them from falling into the same trap that he did. By being honest, Rooney has provided a precedent for other players to come out of the shadows to seek help where they need it, as he is not an isolated case in the sports industry.

  Backed by the Stats

Lund University in Sweden has dedicated much time to the study of gambling addiction amongst Elite Athletes and has just recently published two research articles on the phenomenon. The latest was released in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public-Health.

Around 3,300 test subjects responded to their surveys. It was evident that 7.8% of the athletes had problems with gaming, the majority being men. Results from their findings show that men who exercise three or more days a week are more prone to having problems with gambling.

“Stats show that sportsmen are 12 times more likely to develop gambling problems than sportswoman.”

These results have been a real eye-opener for Svenska Spel, which is both Sweden’s gambling regulator and the largest sponsor for professional sports in the country. The organisation has noted the trends and have implemented measures to work closely with big associations in the country to curb the problems. The regulator seeks to train players and staff in responsible gambling protocols so that they can prevent further young players from adopting bad gambling habits.

Responsible Gambling Starts here

At GamblersPick, we are strong punters of responsible gambling, while remaining avid fans of online iGaming entertainment. Should you want to gamble in a safe environment, then choose one of our GamblersPick casinos. Here, the operators offer a full host of responsible gambling protocols to guide you through your play safely. Set spend limits, self-exclusions, and reality check reminders to keep you in total control of your gambling habits.