Paddy Power, Boylesports stop taking under-18s sports bets

Paddy Power and Boylesports have said they will no longer accept bets on under-18s sporting fixtures.

The move has been welcomed by the Gaelic Players’ Association (GPA) and follows a period of concern regarding gambling addiction among GAA players.

Paddy Power said it took the move independently following concerns being expressed over the practice.

“Despite offering these markets for years it’s never come up as a contentious issue before. Some people wanted to bet on U18s sports so we responded to that demand,” it said in a statement.

“Those customers may be disappointed that they will no longer be able to bet on these sports, especially when they’re on TV or high-profile matches, but we understand that there is a general concern around the issue so we have responded.”

Boylesports, which is also reported to be ending the practice, could not be reached for comment on Wednesday night.

Monitoring impact

Welcoming the move, the GPA said it would continue to monitor the impact of gambling on its athletes.

“Gambling addiction has been identified as a growing concern for county footballers and hurlers over the past number of years, with 2015 showing the highest growth in numbers presenting with gambling addiction,” it said in a statement.

“As well as the immense reputational damage and personal devastation gambling addiction can have on a player and those close to him, the issue poses a very real threat to the reputation of inter-county football and hurling in general if the integrity of the games is compromised.”

Last month, former all-Ireland football champion John Malachy McGurk was given a 30-month prison sentence after being convicted of stealing over half a million pounds from his employer, a sum he later gambled away due to his addiction.

A survey of GAA players carried out in 2014 found almost one quarter believed gambling to be a problem within the sport.

The threat of match-fixing or players betting on their own performance was also highlighted as a concern.

In 2012, gambling addiction represented one third of all cases brought to the GPA’s free counselling service by its members.

That same year, the organisation's chief executive Dessie Farrell said the issue was "severe and widespread".