Gambling Ireland - A Guide For Players & Sports People

Transcription

1 GAMBLING A GUIDE FOR COUNTY PLAYERS & OUR GAMES

2 GAMBLING A GUIDE FOR OUR COUNTY PLAYERS & OUR GAMES Section One: Problem Gambling Some Facts About the Irish Gambling Industry GPA Survey Results How Do You Recognise Problem Gambling? Side Effects of Gambling Addiction Section Two: A Guide For County Players Know The Rules It is Safest Never to Bet on Your Own Sport Be Careful About Handling Sensitive Information Fixing Any Part of an Event is an Absolute No-No Report Any Approaches Section Three: General Advice Family & Friends Addictions Responsible Betting If in Doubt Tell Someone Fixers Will Be Caught 1

3 SECTION ONE PROBLEM GAMBLING The overwhelming majority of people who gamble don t have a problem with it, in fact for the majority of those who do bet, gambling is an entertaining form of recreation but it is important to understand what problem gambling is. Problem gambling affects about 1% of the Irish population according to the latest available figures from 2010*. The GPA has also conducted a general survey of its membership to assess the perceived level of problem gambling within squads. Some Facts About the Irish Gambling Industry* Approximately 2% of Irish adults gamble online regularly. Approximately 12% of Irish adults bet with a bookmaker weekly. Less than 1% of those who need treatment for problem gambling actually receive it. Gambling addiction is an impulse control problem that any person can suffer from regardless of age, sex or socio economic profile. Independent studies and the US National Academy of Sciences have confirmed Harvard University s estimate that 1% of an adult population have a gambling disorder. This equates to c.28,000 people in Ireland (based on adult population of 2.8m) but Ireland s Institute of Public Health extrapolates it could be as high as 40,000. Irish people are estimated to gamble over 5bn per year; that s 14m per day or 10,000 per minute. According to the Institute of Public Health in Ireland, adolescent gambling is thought to be 2-3 times the rate of adults. GPA Survey Results In a recent survey of 2,045 current GPA members, 7% of players believe that there is a gambling problem within their own squad but 23% believe that there is a gambling problem amongst GAA players generally How Do You Recognise Problem Gambling? Answering yes to some of these questions does not necessarily make you a problem gambler but may indicate a problem. Do you sometimes spend more money and time on gambling than you can afford to? Do you find it hard to stop or manage your gambling? Do you have arguments with family or friends about money and gambling? Do you always think or talk about gambling? Do you lie about gambling or hide it from other people? Do you chase losses or gamble to get out of financial trouble? Do you gamble until all of your money is gone? Do you borrow money, sell possessions or do not pay bills in order to pay for gambling? Do you need to gamble with larger amounts of money or for a longer time to get the same feeling of excitement or buzz? Do you neglect work, school, family, personal needs or household responsibilities because of gambling? Do you feel anxious, worried, guilty, depressed or irritable because of gambling? Do you consider or have considered an illegal act to finance your gambling? Do you gamble to escape worry, trouble, boredom or loneliness? So players think there is a problem, just not in their own squad. Do you have difficulty sleeping because of gambling? *RESEARCH FROM Over the past year, gambling addiction makes up 33% of the cases that have presented to the GPA counselling service for treatment. 2 GAMBLING: A GUIDE FOR OUR PLAYERS & OUR GAMES 3

4 FICTIONAL EXAMPLE PART ONE I ve been gambling for the last few years. It s an enjoyable pastime. I have a bit of craic with the lads on bets we make. There s no harm in it. We used to play a game of cards on team trips but instead now we place a few bets on the phone. I have it under control. I like the fact that I can play anywhere and nobody knows. I m a bit worried about the credit card bill but that won t be in for a while yet. Side Effects of Gambling Addiction Unaccounted blocks of time Mood swings Neglecting personal needs or responsibilities Anxiety about finances Depression Alcohol addiction Missing work or college due to gambling Arguing with spouse, partner, other family members, or friends due to gambling Experiencing behavioural or personality changes when watching or listening to sports Having difficulty sleeping or eating Isolation FICTIONAL EXAMPLE PART TWO The credit card bill arrived last week and I have no idea how to pay it, I just tore it up and put it in the bin. I owe a few people money too and can t borrow off my family again. I don t know how I ve managed to build up that amount of debt. I ve had a few losses but didn t think it was that bad. I m feeling really anxious now and don t know how I m going to talk to someone about it. I m awake all night thinking about it and the only thing that seems to give me relief is having another bet. I know I need to talk to someone but I didn t want the whole town knowing about it. I m not playing well at the moment and my training is going poorly. I called the GPA today and they put me in touch with a counsellor. They have recommended that I do a course in a treatment centre. The counsellor gave me advice on telling my family. My parents and brother were so relieved when I told them, they had seen the change in me and were worried that I was very depressed and might do something drastic. It s been the hardest thing to admit to but I feel like an enormous weight has been lifted off my shoulders. I know the road is going to be hard but I m glad I m getting the help I need now and I feel more positive about the future. 4 GAMBLING: A GUIDE FOR OUR PLAYERS & OUR GAMES 5

5 The first step is to admit that gambling is making your life unmanageable. This is also the hardest thing to admit to someone because there is a lot of shame and guilt attached to it. I thought I was the only person who suffered with this addiction but it is a widespread problem so there is no need to feel like you re alone. Since admitting my problem to my father I have received huge support from my family, friends, team mates and the GPA. The support I have received through talking about my addiction has helped me to get my life back and be much happier as a person. Niall McNamee 6 GAMBLING: A GUIDE FOR OUR PLAYERS & OUR GAMES 7

6 Remember: match fixers will be caught and all suspicious bets are monitored. If you have any queries on sports betting issues then it is always better to ask for advice than risk falling foul of the laws. Your player association is here to advise, if required. * The 2013 EU Athletes Code of Conduct sets out the guiding principles and provides general advice to all athletes throughout Europe on the issues surrounding the integrity of sport and betting. This latest Code of Conduct has been funded by the European Commission and developed in a partnership between EU Athletes, of which the GPA is a member, the European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA), the Remote Gambling Association (RGA) and the European Sports Security Association (ESSA). It complements any rules provided by national laws, international conventions and sport regulations, both national and international. SECTION TWO A GUIDE FOR COUNTY PLAYERS* This guide is designed and tailored advice for GAA county players. Key Points and Guiding Principles 1. Know the rules. 2. It is safest to never bet on your sport. 3. Be careful about handling sensitive information. 4. Fixing any part of an event is an absolute No-No. 5. Report any approaches made by third parties. 8 GAMBLING: A GUIDE FOR OUR PLAYERS & OUR GAMES 9

7 ONE KNOW THE RULES Players ought to be aware that gambling on the outcome of matches in which they are involved or acting in a manner that might improperly influence the outcome of a match in which they are taking part, exposes them not only to possible sanction from their governing body, but also has implications in terms of the criminal law. Even if you don t bet the rules will still affect you and ignorance of them could ruin your career. You need to get the facts and protect yourself. The Law of the Land Ireland The Gaming and Lotteries Act of 1956 provides that: Every person who by any fraud or cheat in promoting or operating or assisting in promoting or operating or in providing facilities for any game or in acting as banker for those who play or in playing at, or in wagering on the event of, any game, sport, pastime or exercise wins from any other person or causes or procures any person to win from another anything capable of being stolen shall be deemed guilty of obtaining such thing from such other person by a false pretence, with intent to defraud, within the meaning of section 10 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1951 (No. 2 of 1951), and on conviction shall be punished accordingly. Section 44 of the Gaming and Lotteries Act, 1956, makes contravention of Section 11 punishable by a fine and/or imprisonment. Laws of the Land In the UK and Northern Ireland The legislative position in the UK and Northern Ireland has changed somewhat since 1st July Prior to that date the following legislation was capable of being utilised in the prosecution of match-fixing or other similar offences. Prosecutions in the spot-fixing case involving three Pakistan cricketers were brought pursuant to these pieces of legislation. Prevention of Corruption Act 1906 obtaining or accepting, or agreeing to obtain or accept, any gift or money as consideration as an inducement or reward for doing or forbearing to do any act in relation to his [employer s] affairs or business, or for showing or forbearing to show favour or disfavour to any person in relation to his [employer s] affairs or business. ; Section 10 of Criminal Justice Act, 1951 Obtaining by False Pretences A person who by any false pretence, with intent to defraud, obtains anything capable of being stolen or causes it to be delivered to himself or to any other person for the use or benefit or on account of himself or any other person, shall be guilty of a misdemeanour and on conviction shall be liable to penal servitude for a term not exceeding five years or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years. FICTIONAL EXAMPLE PART ONE We were facing the favourites in the first round of the draw. We couldn t believe we were going to have to play them. We are missing three key players and haven t a hope of beating them. One of the lads was saying that there are good odds on us being beaten by a ridiculous score line, maybe it might be worth a punt. Criminal Law Act 1977 conspiracy to cheat and conspiracy to obtain and accept corrupt payments; and Gambling Act 2005 conspiracy to do an act(s) to enable another to cheat at gambling. On the 1st day of July 2011 the Bribery Act 2010 came into force. The 2010 Act includes provision for summary prosecution and prosecution on indictment of defined bribery offences with potential penalties including imprisonment for up to ten years. Specifically, the 2010 legislation provides for prosecution of certain bribery offences and for improper performance of a function or activity to which a bribe relates. Unquestionably this legislation encompasses matters such as match-fixing and acting in a manner that might improperly influence the outcome of a match. 10 GAMBLING: A GUIDE FOR OUR PLAYERS & OUR GAMES 11

8 TWO IT IS SAFEST TO NEVER BET ON YOUR SPORT It is safest to never bet on your own sport. This includes never asking anyone to bet on your behalf. Whilst the GAA s Official Guide contains no specific regulations or laws prohibiting betting on your own sport, it is not the case that improper conduct is not punishable under the GAA Rules. Players should also be conscious of the perception people may have if you bet on your sport. You risk being accused of helping other people to fix or break rules or of accusations of having had insider information from other players about the likely outcome of a match. FICTIONAL EXAMPLE PART TWO A few of us decided to put a few bob on us losing. Sure, we haven t a hope of winning anyway so we might as well get something out of it. We spread the bets around and got friends to put them on, so not to raise suspicion. We will keep it quiet between us. If the management team finds out, there will be hell to pay. THREE BE CAREFUL ABOUT HANDLING SENSITIVE INFORMATION As an athlete you know information that is not yet available to the public, such as team tactics, if a star player is injured or that the coach is putting out a weakened side. This is considered sensitive or inside information and applies before, during and after matches. This information is valuable to gamblers who would use it to secure an unfair advantage and to make a financial gain. The Following Guidance is Designed to Protect You from Potential Problems. Never swap information on you, your team or your sport for reward, gifts or favours*. It is suspicious if you regularly pass on information to a person outside of your team, even if there is no obvious reward. * This does not include media interview. 12 GAMBLING: A GUIDE FOR OUR PLAYERS & OUR GAMES 13

9 FOUR FIXING ANY PART OF AN EVENT IS AN ABSOLUTE NO-NO Whatever the reason, do not seek to fix any aspect of a competition, no matter how small. Never put yourself in a situation which would bring you, or even force you, to adversely influence the natural course of a sporting match. Fixing any part of an event goes against the rules and ethics of sport and will have major consequences. A media storm could be created if you, your family or friends do anything that causes suspicious betting patterns. If you are accused of match fixing you risk having your reputation destroyed even when you are innocent. As mentioned above such conduct may even give rise to the possibility of prosecution, and ultimately, a criminal conviction. There may, in addition, be social and professional implications if a player were to be found guilty of conduct which amounted to match-fixing or improperly affecting the result of a match. Your employer may well be justified in terminating your contract of employment. Furthermore, the GAA s Official Guide provides that a member can be debarred or expelled from the Association if found guilty of conduct considered to have discredited the Association. Unquestionably, match-fixing or improperly influencing the outcome of a match could fall within a definition of Misconduct Considered to have Discredited the Association [Rule 7.2(e) Official Guide 2013]. FICTIONAL EXAMPLE PART THREE Well, we played and lost by a big score line. All was going well until Johnny went to collect one of the bets. They wouldn t pay out. They said there was some irregular pattern or something and they were investigating it. We only placed 4 bets and sure they were only small. I hope noone finds out about it. The last thing we want is to be dropped from the panel or worse. The reality of this fictional example is that if Johnny and the boys had done this and were caught, they would face possible debarment or expulsion from the Association together with a possible criminal prosecution and jail sentence. The best advice is not to bet on your own sport, it s just not worth the risk. 14 GAMBLING: A GUIDE FOR OUR PLAYERS & OUR GAMES 15

10 FIVE REPORT ANY APPROACHES If anyone approaches you about fixing any part of a match or asks for sensitive information then you need to report this and cannot just ignore it. To the extent that you may turn a blind eye and fail to report an attempt to influence the outcome of a match, this too may fall within the definition of Misconduct Considered to have Discredited the Association. If you have any concerns about anyone, including team mates and coaches, making improper approaches to you then it is crucial that you notify your Players Association and the relevant authorities. The Criminal Justice Act 2011 also provides at section 19 that it shall be an offence if a person has information which he or she knows or believes might be of material assistance in preventing the commission by any other person of a relevant offence and fails without reasonable excuse to disclose that information as soon as it is practicable to do so to a member of the Garda Síochána. Such an offence is punishable by up to five years imprisonment. A relevant offence includes matters involving bribery and corruption and as such this legislation appears to require that players aware of planned matchfixing, for example, have a duty to inform the relevant authorities. If you have any doubts about whom to tell or even if something is a corrupt approach, then ask your players association for advice. There is always potential to be set up with a view to being exposed in these instances. Any threats should always be reported. The police and national laws are there to protect you and your players association can always provide referral to a legal advisor in the first instance. SECTION THREE GENERAL ADVICE 16 GAMBLING: A GUIDE FOR OUR PLAYERS & OUR GAMES 17

11 GENERAL ADVICE 4. If in Doubt Tell Someone 1. Family & Friends Your family and friends betting behaviours or relations with unscrupulous individuals could create serious problems for you. If your partner, family or friends are betting on you or events where you have access to inside information this could be traced back to you, and raise suspicions which could lead to you being banned from your sport. 2. Addictions Do not fall into debt to anyone or allow people to develop a hold over you through any addictions or illegal behaviour. This could trigger unscrupulous individuals to target you to fix competitions either in return for money or even by blackmail. Never wager more than you can afford to lose. If you feel gambling is becoming a problem or you need support or advice then ask the GPA for help. Our free phone counselling helpline is available at or It is always better to ask for help before things become too serious. The GPA is here to help you, in confidence. 3. Responsible Betting If you have any concerns with team mates who you feel may have a problem with gambling you can contact the GPA for advice on how to approach this issue. Also remember, underage betting is illegal (U-18 UK and Ireland). It looks suspicious if you use illegal or unregulated betting websites and it can create all sorts of problems. If you do gamble, only do so with reputable operators who are licensed in Europe. If you ever feel that something is not quite right then trust your instinct and speak to your players association in the first instance who can refer you to a legal advisor. If you have any queries on sports betting issues then it is always better to seek advice than risk falling foul of the laws. 5. Fixers Will be Caught All Suspicious Bets Are Monitored Remote betting operators (that is a betting service provided via the internet, mobile phone or interactive television) use sophisticated security measures that mean that all suspicious bets, and the identity of those placing those bets, can be traced and reported to sports federations or national authorities. The European Sports Security Association monitors any irregular betting patterns to provide an immediate early warning to sports and bookmakers. Modern information technology allows regulated European betting operators to record and trace your bets for fraud prevention purposes. Land-based betting establishments also have serious security measures and are linked in to betting companies central integrity operations. 18 GAMBLING: A GUIDE FOR OUR PLAYERS & OUR GAMES 19

12 Gaelic Players Association, 27 Northwood House, Northwood Business Campus, Santry, Dublin 9 Tel: Fax: info@gaelicplayers.com GAMBLING: A GUIDE FOR OUR PLAYERS & OUR GAMES 20