Irish League player's gambling addiction was 'like a disease'

An Irish League footballer has described how his battle with a gambling addiction resulted in him losing his house, car and the breakdown of his marriage.

Aaron Hogg, 37, said he wanted to share his story about addiction so others involved within the game can have the confidence to seek help.

He said at the height of the problem his life "absolutely revolved around roulette".

It follows a warning by Michael Carvill of the Professional Footballers' Association of Northern Ireland (PFA NI) that the gambling problem within the game here is an "epidemic".

Hogg currently plays for East Belfast side Dundela in the NIFL Championship and has had a two decade career playing for the likes of Carrick Rangers, Glentoran and Portadown.

He told BBC's The Nolan Show that his early forays into gambling involved wagering on horse racing and sports bets.

Aaron said he did not believe his gambling became a problem until he was introduced to online casino-style games through a free bets promotion, winning over £10,000 in a short period.

"I had never played roulette before. I had never played blackjack, so when they gave me that money, I then went into the casino and I won a five figure sum within about 20 minutes," he said.

"That was the biggest win that I had gambling before, and in my head, it switched to, why spend 90 minutes watching a football match? Why spend two hours picking three horses when you can hit a button and watch a ball around?

"And that's when my life was just absolutely revolved around roulette."

The Belfast man has not gambled in more than six years.

He said that during the early part of his career he did not have a solid support network when things got bad for him.

The founder of PFA NI Michael Carvill said Aaron's story is not a unique case within Northern Ireland football.

The number of players who have reached out to the PFA NI with concerns around gambling issues took Carvill "by surprise".

"What we're seeing is that players are obviously growing up in a culture of sport where gambling is kind of the norm", said the former footballer.

"But now it's online. It's destroying people".

Michael Carvill said that support, such as counselling, is available through the PFA NI for players who are struggling.

If you've been affected by a gambling addiction there's information about help and support available on the BBC Action Line.