Mental Health Online

Through the service The Players Union provides you can get help with mental health and gambling problems.

What kind of a gambler are you?

Answer nine questions and find out if you have a problem with gambling

Footballer suffered from problem gambling during professional sports career

You don’t have to fight problem gambling alone. Pele Koljonen talks about challenges with problem gambling and professional sports career and how to cope with them.

Do you recognize yourself or your teammate?

Abandoning previously enjoyed activities
Spending plenty of time and money on gambling
Withdrawing from social relations
Anxiety, irritability, restlessness, absent-mindedness, depression
Guilt and shame associated with gambling
Covering up the true extent of gambling from close ones

If you recognize yourself or your teammate, stop to think if there’s a need for a change.

Tips for controlled gambling

Set limits for yourself

Be honest with yourself. Gambling losses cannot be repaid with more gambling.

How do you feel?

Gambling is meant to be fun and exciting. If you feel that fun and excitement are missing from your gambling, you should stop.

Listen to your close ones

Stop and think about your gambling, if someone close to you makes a comment on your gambling. Problem gambling is never personal. If you have a problem, it affects your close ones.

You are not alone

Use the form at the bottom of the page to leave us your contact details. We will contact you within 24 hours.

For the safety of your future and close ones – set limits for your gambling as an athlete

Know the club’s rules for gambling

Ask your club about the rules for gambling, if you are not aware of them yet.

Never bet on your own games

A professional athlete is never allowed to bet on their own performance or that of their opponent. Do not bet on the performance of your team or your teammate even if you are not involved.

Do not bet on your sport

Any betting on the results of your own sport can seem suspicious. In most cases, you might know the persons involved, or be friends with them. The safest rule is to not bet on your own sport. In this way, you will avoid all problems.

Do not disclose sensitive information to anyone

As an athlete, you are in possession of information that is not public knowledge, such as injuries. This kind of information gives an unfair advantage to betting and gambling. Having the information is not wrong, but what you do with that information matters.

Always report any suspicions of match-fixing

Do not get involved in any kind of match-fixing activity. If you have some information concerning match-fixing, report it anonymously using the RedButton app at playersredbutton.com.