Sport’s gambling issues need addressing
BECAUSE it is Joey Barton, there is a danger that an opportunity to conduct a proper discussion about the relationship between sport and gambling could be lost.
The 18-month ban he received for breaching gambling rules seems fair, particularly given that on 15 occasions he gambled on his own team losing.
His punishment met with a predictably pompous and self-pitying statement from Barton himself, but he was absolutely right to point out his sport’s dependence on betting.
It is an issue in this country, too, and the connections between the business of sport and gambling should be explored.
The industry’s involvement in racing is well known but betting companies exert influence on the media, too, in particular through sponsorship.
This is against the backdrop of the enormous problems caused by gambling addiction. Cathal McCarron and Niall McNamee are two prominent sportspeople who have spoken about their difficulties, but the travails of a famous person should not be needed to start a debate.
There have been enough court reports of lives ruined by the scourge of addiction to gambling for us to know this is an area in need of major scrutiny.
In the aftermath of the Barton decision, one British study estimated people there lost over £12.5 billion gambling last year.
It is a rich, influential industry that exerts great power here.
Is that really okay?