The Irish FA’s betting regulations in Northern Ireland say that players cannot bet on any matches involving their team – at men’s, women’s or underage level – or league, and no one can place a bet on their behalf.
Michael Carvill, head of the Professional Footballers’ Association in Northern Ireland, said it was something he had noticed in a 15-year career at the top of the Irish League.
The PFA are working with the Irish FA and former players with the Gambling Support Group, where support and education are key.
Carvill relates to his former Crusaders team-mate Matthew Snoddy, who is one of four players involved in the GSG alongside Hogg, Aaron Traynor and Michael Ruddy.
“I sat beside Matthew for seven years and I never knew he had an issue,” said Carvill, who added you could see players’ moods change whenever they checked their phones immediately after games.
“It’s something that is concerning when you think you can share a changing room, train with them three nights a week and play with them and you’re not aware of what’s going on.
“It’s really a wake-up call for all of us that this isn’t going away. We have to set up something to try and treat it, and that’s the purpose of this project.”
As Carvill points out, gambling goes far beyond the traditional forms of betting – something he says has “increased risk”.
He touches on prize websites and competitions on TV, and says it is even being found in the academy levels of the game in Northern Ireland through gaming and in-game purchases.
Across his career in the Irish League, which started in 2006, Hogg witnessed first hand how the gambling industry changed, and how that impacted players.
While you used to have to go into the bookies to physically place a bet, with smartphones you can now gamble 24/7, and on endless things.
“The markets are now more advanced. It’s now become, like roulette, it’s almost instant,” he said.
“Betting habits have changed. Back then, when I started, there was more a social aspect to it.
“There’s just so much accessibility now that it is becoming more and more prevalent to footballers.”
