There are horror stories of getting caught up in gambling but players are buving into shift away from it

MOST of the projects the PFA Ireland take on are initiated from within their own office, for the wider benefit of professional footballers in Ireland.

- BY PAUL O'HEHIR

But the tables were turned on the most recent venture, with players going to the union to request support around gambling addiction.

“This is very much driven by the players so that's refreshing and different,” PFA Ireland boss Stephen McGuinness told Mirror Sport.

“Until UEFA published those figures, the players had no idea how much money was being gambled on League of Ireland games. It blew their minds.

“And there's no escaping it - gambling addiction is a serious problem across Irish society, it's in dressing rooms all around the country.

“We're trying to educate players to spot the warning signs as it's not like alcohol or drugs where you can see the tells. Gambling can be hidden.

“We're trying to change the culture and the players have been really receptive to it and are the ones calling for it.”

The UEFA figures McGuinness refers to were published last month and revealed an average of €6.45million is bet globally on each Premier Division game in Ireland.

And €2.13m on average is wagered on every First Division match, €1.64m on each FAI Cup tie and €0.26m on any given Women's Premier Division game.

Studies have also shown that one in 30 adults in Ireland in the 18-30 age bracket have gambling addiction issues.

That's precisely the age demographic the PFA Ireland works with on a daily basis - and it's why McGuinness and his team have hit the road on club visits this month.