Irish president calls for greater advertising regulation

The President of Ireland has called for greater regulation of advertising of gambling in sport as a way of protecting vulnerable players and sporting integrity.

In an interview on Irish sports channel RTÉ Radio 1’s Sunday Sport, Michael D Higgins said: “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.”

It follows the high-profile case of Galway hurler Davy Glennon, who stole over €70,000 from his employers to repay gambling-related debts.

Glennon reportedly used fake accounts to embezzle money from his employer, alcohol distributor J&C Kenny, which was almost forced to close because of the case. In the resultant court case, Glennon received 240 hours of community service with a two-year suspended prison sentence.

Higgins added: “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.”

When asked about the way to address this issue, Higgins suggested greater education from an early age on problem gambling but added that this would not entirely solve the problem.

However, Higgins dodged the potential of any government involvement in such a proposed ban adding: “it’s not for me as President [to do something] as I’m no influence except to say what I think, which for me is that the integrity of sport means having care for everyone who participates.”