Gambling...all fun and games?

For many gambling is a harmless pastime, but for some it is a serious problem that is often ignored in our national game.

Dulwich Hamlet Committee member George Parnavelas is involved with the Young Gamblers Education Trust (YGAM) & with many of the groundbreaking issues that Dulwich Hamlet Football Club have become renowned for leading on, he wanted The Hamlet to highlight the problem of gambling in football, an society in general.

George spoke to our official Club website and explained:

"Nobody is against gambling, as a pastime, but this issue is more relevant than ever as young people grow up in a society saturated with gambling influences. Not only high street bookmakers, but also advertising on television, sport and everyday technology. For some, this can become a problem and the aim is to educate young people about the dangers of addiction. There is currently an abundance of information and support available for young people in regards to sex, drug and alcohol awareness, but very little with gambling. YGAM bridges this gap via workshop delivery, awareness events, such as our presence at Champion Hill for the Needham Market game, and social media campaigns."

He went on to say:

"The 'Young Gamblers Education Trust', was established in 2014 to inform, educate and safeguard young people against the dangers of problem gambling. The idea was borne out of founder, Lee Willows’ own struggle with addiction.
The match against Needham Market, on Saturday 5th December, will be the first awareness event of its kind. Rather than saying “no” to gambling, the event is designed to highlight the related dangers.
The Football Association rule E8 dictates that a club’s players, officials and staff are not allowed to bet on any football related matter. However, this has not stopped the large scale association between the gambling and football industries. YGAM and Dulwich Hamlet FC believe that football has a safeguarding responsibility towards it’s younger participants and spectators.
As part of the legacy of the event, YGAM shall be an awareness workshop to Dulwich Hamlet and it’s youth teams. They have designed a syllabus to be nationally integrated in to schools physical social health education (PSHE) lessons. They will also be on hand at the match to sign post and provide supporters with more information."

On the day of the match, as well as welcoming people involved with the Young Gamblers Awareness Trust as our guests on the day, they shall be staffing a small stall just inside the main entrance, where you can chat to them about their work, as well as getting some more information if you feel you, or anyone you know, may have or be developing a gambling problem.

And at the final whistle, they will be shaking their collection tins, if you wish to make any small donations for them to continue their work.