Flutter Funded Education Initiative Reaches Over 1,000 Irish Footballers to Combat Gambling Related Harm

The League of Ireland completes the first phase of its gambling awareness rollout, reaching 1,250 players with 94% now aware of UEFA integrity rules.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 24, 2026, 10:51 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from iGB

Completion of Primary Phase for National Awareness Campaign

Ireland’s inaugural peer led gambling awareness initiative for professional footballers has reached a significant milestone by completing its rollout to every senior team in the national league. Within just three months of its inception, the programme has engaged more than 1,250 individuals, including players, match officials, and staff from the Football Association of Ireland. This first phase establishes a foundation for a planned three year partnership intended to foster a safer environment within the Irish football community.

Strategic Partnership Between Industry Leaders and Educators

The programme is the result of a collaborative effort between the League of Ireland and EPIC Global Solutions, with full financial backing provided by Flutter. Launched in January, the initiative is designed to deliver approximately 70 educational sessions annually, with a target of reaching over 2,000 participants each year. By leveraging the expertise of EPIC, which recently rebranded from EPIC Risk Management, the league is adopting a prevention based approach that has previously been utilized across the English Football League for nearly a decade.

Lived Experience as a Catalyst for Player Engagement

Central to the effectiveness of the workshops is the inclusion of high profile figures who share personal accounts of gambling related struggles. Former Liverpool defender Dominic Matteo has been a key contributor, speaking openly about his experiences with gambling debts to resonate with current athletes. Organizers believe that using former players as educators provides a level of authenticity that traditional training lacks, ensuring that the message regarding the risks of professional sports betting is both heard and understood by the younger generation of players.