9. The levels at which sports are in need of education and awareness on gambling harms Most Participants believe there should be education and awareness across all levels from grassroots up with Participant 4 stating that ‘there should be a comprehensive programme tailored for every level’ and Participant 6 feeling like ‘all sports should provide education from the ages of 16 upwards’ . It is believed that wider groups such as fans should also receive some form of education. Only Participant 1 gave example of sports which require education and awareness on gambling harms but do not have any in place: ‘Amateur sport in Ireland such as the GAA as well as the semi professional FAI, our Olympic sports and our horse racing’ (Participant 1). 10. Ways to soften stigma around gambling addiction The main emerging theme was ‘education through lived experience’ . Firstly, respondents believed that engagement in education and awareness, using ‘lived experience from peers the audience can relate to’ (Participant 7) will help soften the stigma and will become a part of the organisation’s culture. As Participant 4 stated: ‘If a club has full understanding of safer gambling and the effects of gambling harm then it will be embedded in their culture’ (Participant 4). The second theme emerging was ‘encouragement to speak up’. Respondents expressed the need to encourage people to talk about ‘gambling habits – healthy and unhealthy’ (Participant 6), to ‘take away the blame game’ (Participant 4) and remind them that addiction can come in all forms. Organisations also need to ensure there are ‘trusted and confidential ways to get help or talk with someone to see if there is a problem’ (Participant 7) and that they have ‘a strong alliance with someone who has influence, respect, and professional stability in the organisation’ (Participant 8).
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