Sport has a gambling problem – Bath COO 16/08/2010
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Bath’s chief operating officer has identified gambling as the next big problem facing rugby – and professional sport in general.
Bob Calleja was among the first rugby administrators to call for more attention to be paid to the wellbeing of players after the drugs scandal that engulfed the club in 2009.
England prop Matt Stevens and former Australia lock Justin Harrison were both banned for admitting taking drugs last year, while Michael Lipman, Alex Crockett and Andrew Higgins were all suspended for missing drugs tests.
Now Calleja, who has asked a local vicar to help with counselling for Bath players, believes another threat is looming.
"Gambling is the next issue that really has to be addressed," he told The Bath Chronicle. "There's not a gambling problem at Bath but there is one generally in professional sport.
"Players have a lot of spare time and are reasonably well off. There has to be a lot more work done on helping players avoid gambling addiction.
“It's next on the agenda. Some of them play cards, and the only advice I ever gave to one of the young lads when they were playing poker was 'don't play with anyone who earns more than you do'."
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