Ex-Premier League striker calls for “betting amnesty” and end to ban-forward culture
Jon Walters takes to social media to implore FA to step in and support players at-risk from gambling-related harm
Former Premier League forward Jon Walters has called for a “betting amnesty” to allow footballers to admit to gambling offences without facing punishment.
Taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, the ex-Stoke City and Burnley player said that gambling was “rife” in football and called for the authorities to help with the issue rather than lead with a fine-based approach.
Walters claimed that he had been in teams with stars who were in “serious trouble when playing” with gambling, including betting on football and horseracing.
The Irishman added that he expects players to be banned from the sport, in a similar vein to Ivan Toney and Harry Toffolo over offences that occurred in the past, with players feeling “trapped”.
Walters called for an amnesty to allow players to admit to their betting and provide a care-forward approach to handling the issue.
He said: “I firmly believe there should be a betting amnesty where players can come forward and admit the bets that they have done over the past few years.
“This may be the one chance a player will admit they have a problem, get help and have a clean slate.
“You can tell a player till you’re blue in the face not to bet but an addict is an addict. There’s more to it than catching a player to ban and fine them. This can ultimately take their livelihood away and rip apart families.
“I really hope someone takes notice and acts. The PFA [Professional Footballers’ Association] and the FA need to listen, act and help with the problem,” he added.
Walters’ comments come after The Athletic reported a manager still plying his trade in the top four divisions of English football escaped punishment despite reportedly gambling almost £1m.
The manager, who cannot be named for legal reasons, allegedly had eight betting accounts to place wagers on horseracing and football.
Toney, who was banned from all football and football-related activity for eight months in May, will be able to return to training with Brentford from 17 September.
Toney recently claimed on the Diary of a CEO podcast that betting rules in football were a “grey area”.
This week, Nottingham Forest player Toffolo was handed a suspended five-month ban for 375 betting offences.