Professional Darts Players Association inks GAMSTOP partnership
Players body to raise awareness of gambling-related harm among athletes with new initiative
The Professional Darts Players Association (PDPA) has agreed an education and awareness partnership with GAMSTOP, the UK’s national gambling self-exclusion scheme.
As part of the agreement, the PDPA will raise awareness of GAMSTOP among its members via practical workshops and internal communications sent to players.
The organisations will also share key graphics, information and imagery across social media channels with the aim of reaching players and the general public.
The PDPA’s existing gambling education and preventative measures include PDPA-funded education and treatment provided by Sporting Chance.
“The PDPA is committed to the wellbeing of our players and we recognise the importance of prevention, education and treatment of gambling problems, including addiction,” said PDPA chairman Peter Manley.
“Our partnership with GAMSTOP enables us to raise awareness to our members of a practical tool that helps many people protect themselves from the dangers of online gambling,” he added.
Membership of the GAMSTOP scheme became a mandatory licensing condition for UK gambling operators in March following a lengthy evaluation and integration review.
“We at GAMSTOP are already impressed with the work the PDPA is doing in training and so we’re thrilled that GAMSTOP can now be added to their offering as a practical tool,” GAMSTOP CEO Fiona Palmer said.
“Both organisations share a commitment to protecting and educating those who need help, and we look forward to this partnership ensuring we can reach more people,” Palmer added.
The issue of gambling among darts players was highlighted in recent match-fixing cases involving Kyle McKinstry and Wessel Nijman after suspicious betting patterns were identified by the IBIA.
In August, both players were suspended by the Darts Regulatory Authority, with Nijman later receiving a five-year ban from the sport in October.