AFLPA responds to counsellor’s view of gambling ‘epidemic’ among AFL players and coaches

More than 100 AFL players and coaches are battling gambling addictions, with two football stars each losing $1 million on the punt, a leading gambling counsellor has revealed. And the issue is at epidemic proportions, she says.

AFL head of football Steve Hocking. Picture: Getty Images

Two current AFL stars have lost $1 million each on the punt and up to 120 players and coaches have gambling issues, according to a leading counsellor.

Jan Beames, who specialises in helping elite sportspeople fight their gambling addictions, has described the problem in football “an epidemic”.

Two players — one from a Victorian team and the other from an interstate club — have each lost or owe $1 million, she has revealed.

Up to 120 players and coaches have gambling addictions or chronic issues — mainly relating to betting on horses, she estimates, saying major reform is needed to tackle the problem.

Jan Beames specialises in helping elite sportspeople fight gambling addictions.

Players have even revealed they had contemplated suicide at the height of their distress, Mrs Beames says.

Professional footballers have also described how they escape the pressures of the game by “gambling in the on-season and drugs in the off-season’’, she says.

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“I’d say it’s an epidemic,’’ Mrs Beames, who has counselled more than 50 players, said of the gambling problem in the game.

“I’ve had two players in recent times, this year and last year, who have gambled seven figures. They’ve lost and owe what would add up to a million dollars.

“I’ve had players with suicidal thoughts. I have spoken to a psychiatrist who goes to a club and we think if it’s not handled properly and the AFL don’t get all over it, there will be a suicide.’’

One player estimated 70 per cent of his teammates gambled, while another said 65 per cent did, Mrs Beames revealed — raising concerns that younger athletes were being “groomed”.

“They come into a club, they haven’t gambled before, and there’s a sense of belonging,” she said.

“They have these players standing around with their iPhone open and next minute they’re hooked. It’s grooming. It’s a lot bigger than what we realise.’’

She and her corporate psychologist husband Colin are calling for the game’s leaders to support a comprehensive anti-gambling initiative, describing the current program run by the AFL Players Association as “pathetic”.

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The couple recently had a meeting with AFL head of football Steve Hocking.

“There’s a whole issue around the response, or lack of, to gambling in the AFL,’’ Mr Beames said.

“We believe gambling is the biggest issue in the AFL. What’s likely to happen is the AFL will take more control of that in terms of mental health services.

“They act for good, they do a lot of good, so this is an area they potentially can make an issue and I think Steve Hocking wants to, because it’s a major issue.’’

Currently, players are sent to counsellors through the AFLPA.

“We’re very disappointed with the AFLPA and, by the way, so are a lot of players I’ve seen,’ Mrs Beames said.

In a statement, the AFLPA said it engaged the Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation to run a ‘proactive’ program for players.

“Current and past players who require treatment for gambling-related issues, and any other mental health issues, can access a national network of 120 specialist psychologists and psychiatrists through the AFLPA on a free and confidential basis,” the AFLPA said.

“It has been well documented that hundreds of current and past male and female players utilise this service annually.”

The AFLPA said it did not refer players to Ms Beames as she was “not a qualified psychologist or psychiatrist”.

“The AFLPA only refers players to practitioners that are bound by an ethical code regulated by a body recognised by the Australian Health Practitioners Regulation Agency,” it said.

“The services utilised by the AFLPA ensure that our members’ confidential treatment details are not the subject of dangerous and unsubstantiated public commentary.

“Ms Beames is aware of the reasons as to why the AFLPA has not approved her to be part of its national psychology network.”

Mr Hocking told the Herald Sun this week that the impending appointment of mental health officers would aid the league’s understanding of why players gamble.

“When you ask the question of how big a problem it is, it’s all wrapped up in anxiety and mental health,’’ Mr Hocking said.

“There are things that trigger that kind of behaviour as a release mechanism.’’

AFL head of football Steve Hocking. Picture: Getty Images

He would not comment on the assertion that gambling among players and coaches was an epidemic.

“I don’t think it would be any different to what’s going on in society,’’ Mr Hocking said.

Mrs Beames added that illicit drug use should also be a major concern.

“A couple of players have said to me, it’s gambling in the on-season and drugs in the off-season,’’ she said.

“It’s something we all need to be aware of; the players are to the inch of their lives scrutinised. Their lives are so rigid. They are told what to do, to be there at that time, you have got to be this meeting, and guess what, it’s a release.

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“The players will tell me that gambling is a release for them and I think it’s the same with drugs.

“These guys are risk takers, they give their life and limb playing and consequently you can’t have that without having some counter balance to it. The counterbalance in the off season is doing drugs.’’

If you or someone you know needs help, call Lifeline on 131 114, visit lifeline.org.au/gethelp, call beyondblue on 1300 224 636 or Gambler’s Help on 1800 858 858.

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