Gamban and PFA NI tackle growing gambling issue in football

Gamban has begun a collaboration with the Professional Footballers’ Association of Northern Ireland (PFA NI) to help footballers who suffer from betting-related harms.

To do so, Gamban – a software tool designed to block access to gambling websites and apps across multiple devices – will provide PFA NI members with access to its technology free of charge.

Melissa Etherington, Partnerships Executive at Gamban, highlighted that gambling addiction is a growing issue in football, which impacts mental health, finances, and a player’s performance on the pitch. 

She explained: “It also has the potential to impact sports integrity. We are delighted to partner with PFA NI to raise awareness of Gamban among those most at risk from harms related to online gambling.”

In offering the service, the organisations aim to help protect professional players from the risks of gambling addiction and give them the tools they need to take control of their well-being.

On and off the pitch

Gamban was founded in 2015 by Jack Symons, who has been previously vocal about his own gambling troubles. It currently has 55,000 active users and more than 190,000 blocked websites. 

“As the representative body for professional footballers in Northern Ireland, we are committed to supporting our members both on and off the pitch,” added Michael Carvill, CEO of PFA NI.

“Gambling addiction is a growing concern within football, and this partnership with Gamban is a significant step in providing practical help to those who need it.”

The partnership was also described as a key part of Gamban’s mission to make a positive impact in the world of professional football.

In further moves to protect bettors, this week the tool also introduced support services in both Finnish and Norwegian. 

The addition of the two new languages further expanded Gamban’s accessibility, with players in both countries able to seek support without worrying about potential language barriers.