Rooney links with 32Red for ‘Stay In Control’ series

Former England captain Wayne Rooney has collaborated with 32Red as the firm emphasises its focus on responsible gambling with the launch of its ‘Stay In Control’ series.

The opening episode of the series saw Rooney joined by former football league midfielder Scott Davies, who currently does extensive work in promoting the risks of gambling with Epic Risk Management. 

Hosted at the training facility of the Championship side, Rooney revealed the potential impact gambling can have on the career of a young player, particularly as they are forced to spend an abundance of time away from their family and loved ones. 

Revealing his experience with gambling as a young professional, Rooney stated: “I was a young lad, who had just come into a lot of money. And when you go away with Manchester United, to an away game, you stay in a hotel, and especially when you’re away with England, you’re in a hotel for seven to 10 days, you get bored and you end up doing things to fill time, and at that time gambling was one of them. 

“It was easy to put bets on and at that time, it wasn’t like I had to into a bookies to put bets on where there were limits, this was over the phone where it was just numbers and it didn’t feel like real money and before you know it, you’ve lost quite a bit of money.”

He added: “I won at the start actually, a couple of bets and thought this is easy, it’s easy money. So it sucks you in a bit more and then ended up losing ended up down, ended up chasing my bets, trying to win my money back.”

Commenting on Linkedin, Epic Risk Management CEO Paul Buck underlined that the video emphasises the importance of ‘impactful and effective education to elite sportspeople and how programmes like the EFL Sky Betting & Gaming EPIC Risk Management 5 year education programme can have a positive effect on players, clubs, sports and the wider community’.

It comes as Manchester United’s record goalscorer prepares to make his return to English football with 32Red sponsored Derby County when the Rams take on Barnsley at Pride Park this evening.

Speaking about the video release, Neil Banbury, UK General Manager at 32Red said: “32Red is committed to using its branding opportunities within football to share with community initiatives and to promote proactive responsible gambling messaging. I am therefore very proud that we are launching the first episode of our ‘Stay in Control’ series today with Derby County star Wayne Rooney, and delighted that he has chosen to talk so openly about his experiences.
“English football – and prominent players like Wayne – has a unique reach and cut through with adult audiences, and as such is a great avenue for promoting healthier gambling behavior and advocating for control. Sponsorships are a powerful medium for evolving key responsible gambling messaging that our industry promotes, and we are proud to be leading the way through our new model of sport sponsorship in utilising our assets in this way.”

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