Former Irish League goalkeeper Aaron Hogg, who battled a gambling addiction throughout parts of his 20-year career, is now helping lead a new player-led Gambling Support Group (GSG) aimed at supporting others in the game facing similar issues. The initiative launches as betting company sponsorship of the men's and women's Irish Premiership increases this season, alongside existing sponsorship of both League Cups and a regional tournament, highlighting a tension between the league's commercial reliance on gambling firms and growing concern over the impact of betting on players.

Hogg described gambling as a "progressive illness" that began socially as a teenager and escalated into betting shop visits, horse racing and roulette, ultimately leading to debt, broken relationships and severe depression before he stopped eight years ago. The GSG, run with the PFA in Northern Ireland and the Irish FA, also involves former players Matthew Snoddy, Aaron Traynor and Michael Ruddy; PFA NI head Michael Carvill noted he was unaware of Snoddy's struggles despite years as team-mates. Officials warned that gambling risks have grown with smartphone betting enabling constant access, alongside newer exposure routes such as prize websites, TV competitions and in-game purchases reaching even academy-level players.