Sport
Former Northern Irish footballers launch support group to tackle gambling addiction
Four former Northern Irish footballers have founded the Gambling Support Group to help players facing gambling addiction. The initiative includes Aaron Hogg, a goalkeeper who spent 20 years in the local leagues and has not gambled for eight years. Developed with the Irish Football Association and Northern Ireland’s players’ union, the group launches as bookmaker sponsorship expands across Northern Irish competitions in 2026-27. In England, Premier League clubs have taken a different approach by banning gambling logos from the front of shirts. Concerns also extend to academy players through gaming and in-game purchases.