Gambling Addict Calls for Ban on Gambling Ads in Sports

A gambling addict who spent £22,500 in two hours and racked up over £100k of gambling debt, has called for a ban on gambling advertising for all football events.

39 year old Chris Bilham, racked up debts of £100K gambling on sports. He started placing bets on football matches and before long, was betting on sports he said he knew absolutely nothing about. He even took out a loan of £25k and gambled away £22.5k of it within two hours.  He said the increased gambling advertising that took place around large sporting events encouraged his gambling addiction, and with the Euro’s now in full swing, he’s calling for a ban on all gambling advertising for football events.

Gambling Addiction

Chris started gambling when he was 30, having the odd flutter on football matches. He said the heavy advertising around highly anticipated sporting events, made gambling feel normal. After 5 years, he had taken out numerous loans, was £100k in debt and having suicidal thoughts. His gambling had gone from betting on football matches, to betting on sports he knew nothing about such as Australian women’s league games or horse racing.

He is now recovered from his addiction and is speaking out, calling for an end to all gambling adverts in football events.

50% Drop in Gambling Sponsors

With the Government currently reviewing the Gambling Act, a potential ban on gambling sponsorships in sports is on the cards. In the last two years the number of gambling operators sponsoring sporting events has dropped by around 50%, with football mainly affected. The main football sponsors are now construction and engineering companies, followed by automotive industries and then financial services.

Gambling sponsors for football dropped from 32.7% down to 15.2% and gambling operators on the whole, have had to overhaul how they advertise and ensure players are gambling responsibly, without the risk of developing gambling addictions.