RGA DECLARES PLAYER EDUCATION PROGRAMME A SUCCESS
Posted 2/15/11 : Used to communicate integrity messages regarding betting on sport
The Player Betting Education Programme managed by the Professional Players Federation (PPF) has been praised by the Remote Gambling Association (RGA) for its success in its first year of operation.
The programme funded by the RGA and three of its members, Ladbrokes, Betfair and Bet365, has in its first year seen more than 2 400 players informed on betting related issues through four pilot programmes covering English and Scottish Football, cricket and Premiership rugby union.
The pilot programmes for cricket and rugby were presented as examples of good practice during the recent Sports Betting Integrity Seminar, which took place at the UK Department for Culture, Media and Sport, and which included participation by Hugh Robertson, the Minister for Sport, and all of the major UK sporting bodies.
Clive Hawkswood, chief executive of the RGA said: "The RGA and its partners are extremely pleased with the programme's inaugural year. Given that this has included the design and development of the programme, that 2,400 players have already been involved shows just how effective the players associations have been in communicating the important integrity messages regarding betting on sport."
Brendon Batson MBE, Chairman of the PPF, stated: "This partnership is an essential part of our efforts to educate and protect players on sporting integrity issues. There has been a lot of support for the programme from the players. Initially we focused on football, rugby and cricket, with tutor training and player seminars as part of the pilot programmes. We will expand and develop the programme in 2011 with a number of exciting developments coming on stream, such as a web-based interactive education programme, which will allow us to reach even more professional athletes in the UK."
The programme aims to reach 5 500 players and athletes in its second year of operation and the RGA are in discussion with EGBA and EU Athletes on exchanging best practice and the possibility of merging education programmes.
