I've noticed recently the site has started running some articles from The GAAmbler. As most are probably aware, over the past number of months many players and officials have spoken out about the increasing problems and risks of gambling addiction, with Galway chairman Noel Treacy even saying that the problem has reached crisis point. A quick Google search will return many similar stories. I'm sure most are aware of Niall McNamee and Oisin McConville's troubles also.

This isn't a post to cry about gambling or claim that even the occasional social bet should be outlawed. However, I would appeal to Hoganstand to reconsider publishing these articles, or to at least include some sort of link to gambleaware or another such site in them. I imagine quite a large number of visitors to the site are still school-going teenagers. Surely you should try to be slightly more responsible with regards to this issue? It would be nice to see somewhere finally take a definitive stand and begin to challenge the majority, socially accepted stance on the issue.

hurlingroyals (Meath) - Posts: 45 - 06/01/2016 15:50:43    1814891

Fair points made here by OP.I have been gambling for the last 20 years,approx.Roughly 90% on soccer and 10% on GAA.While there have been times where i've lost the run of myself and lost small fortunes,in the main,i've got a lot of enjoyment out of it.I try to have as much discipline as possible and i keep a record of every single bet i do,from Jan 1 -Dec
c 31,each year,for last seven years.
I devour sports and footall news every day.TV,radio,web,blogs,numerous soccer websites,club websites,newspapers etc.First of all because i enjoy it.If i can get an edge betting-wise,all the better.I never backed a horse/dog in my life.Don't do the lotto.Never bought a scratch card and hate poker and casinos.It can be a ruination of anybody if things spiral out of control.Before you know it you could lose everything.And i know some who have.

cuederocket (Dublin) - Posts: 5084 - 06/01/2016 16:56:28    1814908

While you seem to have control on what you do Cuederocket, as you say before you know it you can lose everything. I have put bets on matches myself occasionally and even with that you can see how easy it would be to let it go to far. I really feel it's getting out of control both within GAA and other sports. I also really dislike the idea of being able to gamble on schools matches and minor matches. Am I correct in saying that the GAA are planning to stop this? I just think that young people are already over exposed to gambling, with it almost being the norm now for everybody to have a betting app on their phone.

hurlingroyals (Meath) - Posts: 45 - 06/01/2016 19:06:51    1814942

I find it hard to believe that GAA is immune to the temptation of winning money by players betting on there teams to win.Maybe backing themselves to cover the handicap market.Or a player to score over/under a certain amount of total points.There is a multitude of betting options for so many GAA games now.Both club and inter-county. It has caused big problems in other sports.I would like to think that players never backed themselves to lose a game.Or miss a free on purpose.Get sent off deliberately etc.It is scary how deeply ingrained in our culture,gambling has become.With all these betting apps it has never been easier.One discreet click of your phone and...bingo....let the games begin!

cuederocket (Dublin) - Posts: 5084 - 06/01/2016 19:47:21    1814952

Did you start a similar topic about this a few weeks ago?

I think I disagreed with you then saying that gambling can for be just a bit of fun and that knowing odds on stuff is interesting. You shouldn't look to remove pieces about gambling because some people have a problem with it.

I stand by those sentiments, however, I have since be on the GAAmbler's Twitter feed. I do not like this guy's modus operandi. He is a bit of a parasite really truth be told.

His business plan appears to be to run his stupid Twitter feed, gain a load of followers and hope to then try to get bookies to look for plugs from him.

I dislike these sorts of people. He is adding zero value, whatsoever, at least bookies are putting their money on the line when they accept a bet, this guy isn't even doing that. I can assure you his tips are a load of manure, he claims to be providing GAA analysis but I mean he pretty much is just licking his finger and putting in the air to come up with his suggestions.

I hope he fails, I'd be very happy for Hoganstand to not provide him with a platform.

I'd also advise people not to use his tips. They will not make you money and if your after fun it's much better to come up with your own ideas than listen to this muppet.

I agree cuedrocket with regards your sentiments on betting apps. I do think they make it too easy to gamble. I particularly hate the casino style games. At least betting on sports it is possible to have an edge over bookies, these online blackjack type games are a guaranteed loser in the long run and that happens way more quickly now as a result of Internet gaming.

Anyway rant over.

Whammo86 (Antrim) - Posts: 4226 - 06/01/2016 21:09:24    1814970

Are this fellas articles still on hoganstand ? He was more a bluffer then tipster

FoolsGold (Cavan) - Posts: 2763 - 05/11/2016 12:27:01    1931815

Actually found a lot of his tips fun to go with it and won a few quid. His tips though would not entice me into a downward spiral of gambling to be fair. Very much find bets on GAA is the aspect of fun rather than trying to become rich. Most folk spend considerably more money on lotto gambling than they would on GAA.

All said and done, young folk are exposed to all the same vices as they always have been - drinking, gambling and drugs being the key ones. I genuinely don't see forums or sites like HB in anyway enticing folk into a potential addiction. Online Poker and Casinos are much more tempting than reading comments about some GAA match tips. All Saturday newspapers have Tipsters offering their shouts from all the Key soccer and GAA games , as well as the obvious horse racing. Don't know any fellow punter who would go to the likes of HB hoping to find a dead cert winner.

poguemahone (Dublin) - Posts: 365 - 07/11/2016 13:35:26    1932364

I agree with the sentiment but more in regards to giving this guy a platform when anyone could have been given that platform. The anonymity he keeps behind the name is not right because it lessens his accountability when things go wrong. I agree at the very least there should be a disclaimer on the articles.

Because of a few successful tips this guy is now charging people like 75 euro to receive the tips for the next year, guaranteeing him a profit no matter what the outcomes of his tips - all gained from a platform which Hoganstand provided him with.

benjyyy (Donegal) - Posts: 1422 - 07/11/2016 14:24:23    1932378

Awwwwnow (Cavan) - Posts: 1050 - 07/11/2016 17:12:33    1932459