The Football Association of Ireland is set to cease dealing with betting companies according to a report in The Times. The FAI are currently sponsored by Ladbrokes, but that deal is due to run out by this year with article stating that an announcement on the matter would be made soon.
According to the report a spokesman for the organisation told the outlet that the all areas of the association’s links to gambling were being looked into over gambling addiction concerns. and should the FAI decide to end their ties with betting companies they will follow the GAA, who voted to ban betting companies from sponsoring the association in February.
President of Ireland Michael D. Higgins has also spoke recently about gambling in sport, and his wish to have it removed from sporting events:
I'm very concerned about gambling for example, which if I had my way, I wouldn't have advertising of any access to gambling platforms in sport at all. I really worry when I read cases of people who have come through [gambling problems].
The often-secret addiction has grown in sport in recent years - and a number of high profile sports people have talked about their stories of addiction.
