Former Northern Irish footballers launch support group to tackle gambling addiction

Herz — Sport Desk · 26 August 2026 at 08:27 · 30s summary · 3 min read

What we know

According to BBC Sport, Aaron Hogg, a goalkeeper who spent 20 years in Northern Ireland’s football leagues after starting his career in 2006, has not gambled for eight years. His clubs included Crusaders, Glentoran, Portadown, Ards, Carrick Rangers and Dundela. He is a central figure in the new Gambling Support Group, which helps footballers facing gambling addiction.

The player-led group brings together four former footballers: Aaron Hogg, Matthew Snoddy, Aaron Traynor and Michael Ruddy. It is being developed with the Irish Football Association, which governs football in Northern Ireland, and the region’s professional players’ union, PFA Northern Ireland.

Irish FA rules prohibit players from betting on any match involving their team, at men’s, women’s or youth level, or on any match in their league. Players are also barred from asking another person to place a bet on their behalf.

Bookmaker sponsorship expands in Northern Ireland

The group is launching as betting companies expand their sponsorship of Northern Irish football. From the 2026-27 season, bookmaker partnerships are increasing in both the men’s and women’s Irish Premiership. Two editions of the League Cup and a regional tournament are also sponsored by bookmakers.

Premier League clubs take a different approach

Since the start of the 2026-27 season, English Premier League clubs have been unable to display gambling company logos on the front of their shirts. The clubs adopted the restriction through a voluntary vote. Gambling logos remain permitted on shirt sleeves and training wear.

Eight clubs had to find a new front-of-shirt sponsor. At the article’s publication date, Sunderland and Chelsea had not announced replacements.

Concerns extend to football academies

Michael Carvill, director of PFA Northern Ireland, says problem gambling behaviour is no longer confined to the professional game. Carvill played for 15 years at the highest level of Northern Irish league football and was Hogg’s teammate at Crusaders.

According to Carvill, such behaviour is now appearing in football academies, driven by gaming and purchases made within video games, commonly known as in-game purchases.

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