Hampden sponsored by William Hill

Gambling has moved further into the mainstream of society due to the ease of which people can now do it, such as through the touch of a button from your phone, but also because of its strong link with the sporting world, especially football. And with the increase in profile of gambling, comes the increased impact it has on people's lives, destroying them in many cases. 

School of Social and Political Sciences academics, Dr Chris Bunn, Dr Jonathan Minton, and PGR student, Robin Ireland, plus colleagues, have conducted important research which explores the public health and social implications of this dangerous relationship. They suggest that the link between football and gambling is extremely unhealthy and recommend that legislators re-visit the relationship between football in the UK and the sponsorship it receives from the gambling industry.

Their findings are published in the Journal, Soccer & Society, 'Shirt Sponsorship by Gambling Companies in the English and Scottish Premier Leagues: global reach and public health concerns'.  

The team tracked shirt sponsors in both the English and Scottish Premier Leagues since 1992 and found a pronounced increase in the presence of sponsorship by gambling companies. This increase occurred at the same time as the Gambling Act 2005, which liberalised rules, was introduced. They argue that current levels of gambling sponsorship in UK football, and the global visibility it provides to gambling brands, is a public health concern that needs to be debated and addressed. 

Robin Ireland, who is also the Director of Research at Healthy Stadia, commented that 'We need to be clear that gambling is a public health issue with a significant burden of harm associated with it. The Gambling Commission estimate that the number of British adults with gambling problems is in excess of 400,000, with a further two million at risk of gambling-related harm.'

'There is a huge potential for harm in the future with new technological devices driving forms of remote gambling, 24 hours a day. Whilst we are aware of high profile footballers who have voiced their concerns, it is now reported that more young football fans bet on the sport than play in a team.'

Their research has already generated widespread media coverage, being picked up by The Herald, The Scotsman, and The Daily Mail. You can also listen to Robin discussing the research on BBC Radio Scotland. 

First published: 22 January 2018

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