Coventry man behind nationwide gambling education programme | News

Aaron has teamed up with Sheffield Wednesday, Barnsley FC and Steven Gerrard’s Academy in Tenerife – to educate staff and players about gambling addiction.

A man from Coventry is behind a nationwide gambling education initiative, that is taking professional and grassroots sport by storm.

Aaron Abbott, 32, has been visiting schools and sport academies across the country – including his “old stomping ground” Coventry College – to help youngsters learn about the dangers of betting.

He gives sports learners a first-hand insight into the dangers of gambling, as part of Against the Odds – a community organisation which Aaron set up to reduce the number of lives lost or seriously impacted by gambling addiction.

Aaron offers his personal insight into his experiences with gambling, which started at college.

He said: “It’s been a real privilege to come back to my old stomping ground and reach out to youngsters who are in the same position I was when I developed my addiction.

“Sports betting is a very attractive proposition to sports fans of all ages, and if managed correctly can be safe, social and fun. But with the extra level of personal freedom and income you get after leaving school, it can very quickly spiral into a serious problem for young people.”

Aaron continued: “I started the initiative at the start of lockdown when I was reading an article about someone that took their own life from gambling, and when I was reading it, there were lots of things that related to myself.

“So, I decided to request how much money I’d spent on betting, and it was £263,000. That was over student loans, personal salary, selling possessions.”

Against the Odds has already teamed up with the likes of Sheffield Wednesday, Barnsley FC and Steven Gerrard’s Academy in Tenerife to educate staff and players about the gambling sector, which has a higher suicide rate associated with it than any other form of addiction in the UK.

His research found over 500 people had taken their life due to gambling in the UK last year.

The sessions covered an intro into gambling, physical and financial impacts, how to identify a problem in yourself or your friends, and other practical information such as understanding your credit report and the effect it can have on getting finance or a mortgage.

Aaron said: “Education is so important on this topic, and the fact we have been able to show students how the gambling industry works, how they can spot the signs of a problem developing and what to do about it is fantastic.

“The growth of Against the Odds over the last year or so has been phenomenal, and we have big growth plans to keep spreading our message and raising the awareness piece. The business is at an exciting stage with upcoming work with Coventry City FC, Aston Villa Foundation, various educational organisations, the NFL Academy via Loughborough College and even some online delivery with High Schools in the USA.”

For more information visit againsttheodds.uk.