President Michael D Higgins has called for a ban on gambling advertising in sport.
Higgins, who reportedly said he’d be a one term President but not wants another 7 years in office, said that current stories of gambling, such as addiction etc concerns him and he wants a ban on gambling ads in sport.
Speaking on this morning RTE Radio 1’s Sunday Sport, Higgins said:
“for too long in Ireland we often ignore problems that are staring us in the face”.
“I’m very well aware of what happens when players retire. The GAA has a scheme that is an outreach scheme that is very good. But also I am very concerned about gambling.
He continued:
“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 the cases.
“I visited the Hope House in Mayo recently who have been a great assistance to some people who have got over what is, hopefully, a terrible temporary problem.
“I think in a way we should protect our sports of keeping them free from this kind of stuff.”
“I just think sport should be protected from it. There is no one being heavy about it. What you can do is through education obviously, through the school systems.
“As well as that, we do need, and it’s not for me as President [to do something] as I’m no influence except to say what I think, is that the integrity of sport means having care for everyone who participates.
“Having care for everyone who participates means not exposing them when in fact they are vulnerable. How you deal with vulnerabilities is by preparing them of course.
“But you can’t do everything through education. For too long in Ireland we often ignore problems that are staring us in the face,” Higgins said.