Pro Sport Advisory Board

The Paper identified the best mechanisms to reduce gambling harm in sports and esports by conducting primary research with the PSAB members. The outcome of this research provides recommendations that all clubs, leagues, governing bodies and other membership-based groups from within the sports and esports sector can follow. It ensures best practice is observed by advising players on potential risks involved with gambling activities and is also enshrined within the organisation’s ethos to ensure that betting integrity is observed by those who have the potential to influence outcomes.

The findings included recommendations for gambling harm awareness to be embedded into the culture of sports clubs, ensuring that it is at the heart of any new relationship between sporting institutions and gambling operators. It also urges gambling corporations and governing bodies to fund gaps in much-needed research into the effect of problem gambling on women’s elite level sport.

During the day, EPIC’s lived experience facilitators shared their personal stories of their struggles with gambling addiction and there were panel discussions and workshops with members of the PSAB and other invited guests affected by gambling harm.

The Summit and White Paper recommendations have kicked off open and honest conversations across elite sport around gambling harm awareness and the very real need for education in the wider sporting ecosystem. It is vital that there is a greater understanding of the vulnerability of sports stars/elite athletes to gambling harm and that pro-active steps are taken to minimise this risk through education.

Integrity breaches are becoming too frequent an occurrence and as well as the human cost to the individual affected, there is a wider impact on the sport as a whole. The hope is that events like the Summit will allow for greater thought leadership and action around the effects of gambling harm in the sporting landscape.