Friday 18th February, 2022 at 11:29am
Partick Thistle FC has become the 20th football club to back The Big Step’s campaign to end all gambling advertising and sponsorship in football. The club’s announcement follows The Big Step’s latest campaign event, which saw over 40 people harmed by gambling walk 60 miles to visit nine Scottish football clubs – including the Jags.
The club, which plays in the Scottish Championship, joins Tranmere Rovers, Luton Town, Forest Green Rovers, Edinburgh City, Dulwich Hamlet, Drogheda United and others in calling for an end to football’s unhealthy relationship with gambling companies.
Gerry Britton, Partick Thistle’s Chief Executive, said:
“We were very pleased to welcome The Big Step team to Firhill. As a Club, we have staff and fans who’ve experienced at first hand the harm that gambling does and took a decision some time ago not to accept gambling sponsorship. Addiction in all of its forms damages lives. But hearing from James Grimes of the higher levels of suicide related to gambling was a shock. We’ve signed up to the campaign to play our part to support change and will do what we can to help going forward.”
The Big Step campaign is led by people harmed by gambling and part of the charity Gambling with Lives. Gambling adverts are widespread across all levels of football in the UK, often acting as the hook that draws first-time gamblers in, with millions going on to experience harm.
There are between 340,000 and 1.4 million adults addicted to gambling in the UK, as well as 55,000 children. Gambling addiction has the highest suicide rate of any addiction, with those addicted up to 15 times more likely to end their lives than members of the general population. Tragically, there are up to 650 gambling-related suicides every year in the UK.
James Grimes, who founded The Big Step after being addicted to gambling for 12 years said:
“Partick Thistle’s support is a fantastic reward for our 60-mile walk at the weekend. The club were brilliant when we visited – with the chief executive serving the hot drinks himself!
“With the Gambling Act review in such a crucial phase, we applaud Partick Thistle’s commitment to the health of their young fans and the long-term sustainability of the game and encourage every club in the country to follow their example.”
The Big Step’s walk was supported by eight members of Scottish and UK Parliament, with three – Ronnie Cowan, Margaret Ferrier and Kaukab Stewart – joining for part of the walk.
