GAA VOTE BANS SPONSORSHIP BY GAMBLING FIRMS

93% of delegates back bid to tackle betting addictions

THE GAA yesterday voted to ban all betting sponsorship at its annual congress in Croke Park.

The motion to outlaw backing by a gambling firm “of any competition, team, playing gear or facility” was passed by 93% of the 270 delegates.

Under the new regulation clubs can continue with agreements already in place until existing contracts expire.

But once these are phased out no new deals can be brokered as the GAA takes the next step in its battle against gambling addiction.

At the meeting former Galway player Alan Kerins made the shock revelation more than 100 inter-county players had sought support in this area. The GPA spokesman said of the 77 players who asked for counselling services last year, 15% of them were for gambling-related issues.

Mick Rock of Connaught GAA claimed sport in general is “besieged by gambling” and the ban would “enhance the moral standing of the GAA in Irish life”.

The vote will have no impact on inter-county teams as none has a bookmaker as a major sponsor.

But Armagh’s deal with Boylesports – one of 20 official club partners – looks set to end.

Earlier this week former player Oisin Mcconville spoke of his gambling

SUPPORT Oisin Mcconville addiction and backed the move to ban sponsorship. He said: “I think this motion shows the GAA is standing up and doing something. “Looking at the Premier League [betting sponsorship] came in and didn’t have a huge impact and then built momentum as time went on. “And that is something I could see happening in the GAA. We are nipping it in the bud.” At yesterday’s AGM match officials were also banned from sponsorship on their uniform. The motion was supported to prevent any risk of breaching GAA sponsorship agreements attached to the current rule.