Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty
Oasis Collector's Edition is HERE! - Get yours before they go.
GET MINE
News

Chelsea FC Commissions Gambling Experts to Educate Young Players

Premier League leaders have hired experts to warn young players of the dangers of gambling addiction

Chelsea FC has commissioned a group of risk awareness experts to work with its young players to warn them of the dangers of gambling addiction.

The Premier League leaders asked EPIC Risk Management to deliver gambling awareness education to their elite academy squads at under 16, under 18 and under 23 level.

It comes as Premier League star Joey Barton is handed an 18-month ban for placing 1,260 bets on football matches over the course of decade, sparking a huge debate on the nature of problem gambling in the sport.

EPIC’s CEO Paul Buck said he had been “very impressed” by Chelsea’s pro-active approach to the problem. “We look forward to working with them to ensure their young players make informed choices around gambling and go on to have fantastic careers.” he said.

The club is aware of the gambling problem in football – they take the risk seriously

Buck and his colleagues have already visited Stamford Bridge to give a talk to Chelsea’s senior squad and staff.

“The club is aware of the gambling problem in football and sport more widely, and they take the risk seriously,” he told The Big Issue. “So they were happy to have us in. We told our stories, let them understand what the addiction is, and the potential vulnerability to it. Like many of the sports clubs we’ve visited, everyone was switched on to what we had to say.”

Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty
Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty

The work of EPIC was covered by The Big Issue earlier this month. Buck, a former bank manger who spent 11 months in prison after stealing to pay off his own gambling debts, launched the socially-driven business back in 2013.

EPIC is also working with both the Professional Cricketers’ Association and the Rugby Players’ Association to deliver education programmes to top-level sides in the sports.

A recent Professional Players Federation survey revealed professional athletes are at least three times more likely to be problematic gamblers than the general population.

“You have excess downtime, excess money,” Buck explained. “You want the adrenaline rush but want to avoid the drink or drug-taking that affects performance. So gambling is what they turn to.”

Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty

SIGN THE PETITION

Will you sign Big Issue's petition to ask Keir Starmer to pass a Poverty Zero law? It's time to hold government to account on poverty once and for all.

Recommended for you

View all
Disability benefit cuts violate human rights even with concessions, MPs warned ahead of vote
Keir Starmer
Disability benefits

Disability benefit cuts violate human rights even with concessions, MPs warned ahead of vote

It never crossed my mind I might need disability benefits. Now I don't know where I'd be without PIP
Haitham Elmasri
Disability benefits

It never crossed my mind I might need disability benefits. Now I don't know where I'd be without PIP

Rough sleeping in London hits record high amid warnings of benefit cuts making things worse
a homeless man sitting on the street with his dog
Rough sleeping

Rough sleeping in London hits record high amid warnings of benefit cuts making things worse

Tory MP Robert Jenrick says mass migration to blame for rising rents. Here's what he's not telling you
Conservative MP Robert Jenrick
RENTING

Tory MP Robert Jenrick says mass migration to blame for rising rents. Here's what he's not telling you

Most Popular

Read All
Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits
Renters: A mortgage lender's window advertising buy-to-let products
1.

Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal
Pound coins on a piece of paper with disability living allowancve
2.

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal

Cost of living payment 2024: Where to get help now the scheme is over
next dwp cost of living payment 2023
3.

Cost of living payment 2024: Where to get help now the scheme is over

Strike dates 2023: From train drivers to NHS doctors, here are the dates to know
4.

Strike dates 2023: From train drivers to NHS doctors, here are the dates to know

Support our vendors with a subscription

For each subscription to the magazine, we’ll provide a vendor with a reusable water bottle, making it easier for them to access cold water on hot days.