Is Paul Merson Right?

[Pedro de la Rosa]

I think that's the key point.

I am anti gambling, particularly online gambling and I think it's reprehensible that football is so indebted to those companies. I also respect that some are addicted to gambling and need help.

But the issue I think is that they are involved in the sport and when gambling on that sport enters the arena it could lead to damage to sporting integrity.

Football probably shouldn’t have got so involved with gambling in the first place, then.

Also, if they’re placing thousands of bets, they’re addicts. It isn’t their fault. Thirdly, who gives a **** about the bookies, cos they certainly couldn’t care less about Tonali and Toney. Vile, vile businesses.

[AfricanBluebird]

Gambling can certainly be addictive and any addiction is a condition, not a choice. Merson is 100% correct and has the lived experience to prove it.

Football demonising and banning players for gambling and then taking the money from gambling companies and shoving it down ours, and the players, throats, is ridiculously cynical and hypocritical.

Imagine a young player with a gambling addiction who has the ability to impact of a game he's betting on.. It's like playing the lottery but being able to influence what numbers come out of Arthur, Guinevere, Lancelot, Merlin, Vyvyan and Galahad.

With an addiction, that your own profession rams down everyones throat and makes you wear their advertisements, i think the temptation is just too much.

The relationship between gambling and football needs to be looked at.

Also, is anyone else sick of mega rich film stars on tv telling us to gamble on almost everything. Its wrong.

[Citizen's Nephew]

Gambling can certainly be addictive and any addiction is a condition, not a choice. Merson is 100% correct and has the lived experience to prove it.

Football demonising and banning players for gambling and then taking the money from gambling companies and shoving ut down ours, and the players, throats, is ridiculously cynical and hypocritical.

Imagine a young player with a gambling addiction who has the ability to impact of a game he's betting on.. It's like playing the lottery but being able to influence what numbers come out of Arthur, Guinevere, Lancelot, Merlin, Vyvyan and Galahad.

With an addiction, that your own profession rams down everyones throat and makes you wear their advertisements, i think the temptation isnjust too much.

Good post. Don't the FA/Clubs etc. actually have a duty of care? Banning seems very draconian.

[Dembe]

Aston Villa have a new shirt sponsor their biggest ever. £20 million a year with a Greek sports betting firm Betano.

It will never stop.

[North Cardiff Blue]

It's probably best to leave the deterrent there if it helps one player stop gambling then that's a good thing.

[Citizen's Nephew]

Paul Merson is spot on.

Something that might interest people. When Saturday Comes has stuck to its guns by not accepting betting adverts btw.

[AfricanBluebird]

Good post. Don't the FA/Clubs etc. actually have a duty of care? Banning seems very draconian.

To me too.

[gabbsthenewt]

It is an addiction, they do need help, but a feared enough deterrent also needs to exist. If it's gotten to the point whereby they are unable to stop themselves despite the risk of putting their livelihood at risk, then 10 months out of the game doesn't sound like an unfitting amount of time for the recovery one would need to undertake.

[insider]

A lad I knew and went to school with ended his life after his life unravelled due to gambling.
He lost everything ended up in prison after he held up the bookies with a shot gun and eventually got caught.
He was a good footballer and a quiet man.
I couldn't believe what had happened to him when I found out.
I have suffered from addiction but I realised it was going the wrong way so took a step back.
I guess I was 1 of the lucky ones.

[Dembe]

I am glad that people have posted about their own experiences, to bring a balanced view to the thread.

The ignorance of some.