Help Available To Prevent Gambling Problems, Says John Hartson
5 November 2018
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John Hartson believes the "tools" remain in place to avoid betting practices becoming unhealthy addictions.
Former Celtic and Wales striker Hartson has previously discussed his and is supporting a new project by Scottish Professional Football League sponsors Ladbrokes that motivates responsible betting.
"I'm abstinent for 7 years," said the 43-year-old. "I plan to remain clear of gambling. That is my option. It's everything about a personal choice. Life is everything about choices.
"There is help there. It ended up being a major issue for me. The message is and the targets for me are to stop people getting to where I was due to the fact that we're providing tools and we're providing them an opportunity if the gaming does get out of control, there is assistance, there's gain access to - you can ban yourself from your local bookmaker, you can take yourself off the web if you gamble online.
"There are individuals out there, problem gamblers, and we put the check in place that if the betting is affecting your home life, your individual life, your health then there are places, there are signs and there is great deals of advice.
"There are scenarios now and puts where people can fix that and ended up being responsible gamblers."
Several gamers in Scotland have actually served restrictions for breaking betting guidelines and club officials are likewise forbidden from placing bets on football matches.
"I'm not here as a former addict informing people to stop betting," included Hartson. "I am here to help individuals not to get to where I was.
"It's not for me to tell individuals to stop gambling. People will not listen to me. If people desire to gamble, they'll bet.
"We're not magicians. It's not a magic wand. If people desire to stop, they will seek assistance. If individuals don't wish to stop, then they just simply will not."
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