Over the course of the past year, the players and officials in the AFL have been getting caught up in plenty of gambling scandals. Responsible gambling advocates and members of the general public have called it a ‘gambling epidemic’ in the league – but AFL executives deny any such thing. Paul Marsh, Chief Executive of the AFL Player’s Association responded: “That’s a little bit blown out of proportion.”
“We are aware that a significant number of players have a bet. We are currently dealing with some players with (gambling) issues, but the number is not significant”. Marsh recognises that gambling addiction is an issue in society, but argues that is it not more prevalent among footballers.
When gambling does become an issue among certainly players, they receive counselling and other assistance that will help them kick their dangerous spending habits. The AFL also offers education to new players in the league. Teenage players at the annual induction learn about responsible gambling, and the player’s union offers money management courses that offer up general advice about spending.
However, the Herald Sun reports that the issue is bigger than the AFL will admit. David Schwarz, who will head the AFL’s new gambling program, told the publication that there are at least 30 current AFL players experiencing gambling problems. The Herald Sun has also reported that one player spent $30 000 in a single day on horse betting while another player lost $40 000 on gambling prior to game day.
“I know players who have lost three-quarters of their wages in a month through gambling, which is hundreds of thousands over time,” Schwarz says. There is certainly a debate brewing regarding gambling addiction in the AFL. While the league aims to revamp its gambling program to reduce gambling spending, there are still concerns that the problem is too far gone.
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