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Former Arsenal and England legend Paul Merson is a recently reformed gambling addict. But over the past 30 years, he gambled away a fortune.
In this first-person account, Paul sets out to understand why his life has been so badly blighted by gambling, and explores the relationship between football and gambling at a time when it’s never been more urgent to question the industry’s place in the world of sport.
Paul is now on the path to recovery, but he wants to understand the triggers that have led to his addiction. To do this, he’s undergoing therapy and meeting scientists who have brand new theories in addiction science.
And whilst the government moots the question of whether gambling laws should be changed, Paul wonders if an entire generation of young Brits is at risk of following the same, dangerous path that he trod. Advertising and sponsorship by betting firms has exploded; the industry now spends £1.5 billion a year on advertising*, with 80 percent of all gambling marketing spend now online.
Paul says: “If this film helps just one other person affected by the issue of problem gambling, it’s been worthwhile”.
In this first-person account, Paul sets out to understand why his life has been so badly blighted by gambling, and explores the relationship between football and gambling at a time when it’s never been more urgent to question the industry’s place in the world of sport.
Paul is now on the path to recovery, but he wants to understand the triggers that have led to his addiction. To do this, he’s undergoing therapy and meeting scientists who have brand new theories in addiction science.
And whilst the government moots the question of whether gambling laws should be changed, Paul wonders if an entire generation of young Brits is at risk of following the same, dangerous path that he trod. Advertising and sponsorship by betting firms has exploded; the industry now spends £1.5 billion a year on advertising*, with 80 percent of all gambling marketing spend now online.
Paul says: “If this film helps just one other person affected by the issue of problem gambling, it’s been worthwhile”.
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Press briefings for the show have outlined that Merson comes face-to-face with his compulsive behaviours, and further examines how “new technology is making the gambling industry more insidious with the ability to gather information about customers”.
Paul says: “If this film helps just one other person affected by the issue of problem gambling, it’s been worthwhile”. will also help with the book sales paul |
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he was addicted to other things as well. most of these people have problems full stop.
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In this first-person account, Paul sets out to understand why his life has been so badly blighted by gambling?
I can answer that. Lack of self discipline. We live in a era where the majority of people can't seem to take responsibility for their own actions in life. They then go running to the BBC, Guardian (who both love a good sob story) or on Social Media to complain about the "injustice" of it all. And anyway, there's worst thing for young guys to do with their money. They could be Simping on Only Fans! lol |
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peter shilton paul merson that bird with the blue hair that falls asleep alot all making it difficult for people to have a bet .
2 are selling books and one has never had a bet. |
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Merson getting paid good money by Sky on Soccer Saturday while they run gambling adverts every 10 minutes
 Seems Ok with that though !! |
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1.01 merson will cry a few times on the programme he loves a good cry
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Just think what else they would have done with their time & money? They could have easily spent it doing something worthwhile for society. But instead they CHOSE to gamble excessively. There's no such thing as a "Gambling Addiction"
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I'm pretty sure I've seen him plugging bets for them too, Doubled. Laughable stuff!
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CHdU0hMCDS8
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F'ecking classic!
These f'eckers have NO shame! |
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Whippin Piccadilly • October 11, 2021 2:07 PM BST
Just think what else they would have done with their time & money? They could have easily spent it doing something worthwhile for society. But instead they CHOSE to gamble excessively. There's no such thing as a "Gambling Addiction" Ive read some sh1te on this forum but that's up there |
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Block me then you toby
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No chance, I like a laugh and you never fail to provide it.
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Like I laugh at your tips and opinions on Horse racing. One of the worst judges on the forum.
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Their worse in real life tbf
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theyre*
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You can have whatever view you like re gambling. Imagine sat there knowing you`ve blown 7 million.
That must feck you head in. |
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Bunch of feckers the lot of them ballyregan. Stelling would sell his soul to the devil for a few bob. Winston worse.
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lol Fair play, JD.
If ever you needed evidence that a cap on players wages is needed, you have it right here! |
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yes themightymac if merson truly believes that gambling is so destructive surely he has to pack in his skysports job considering all the sponsoring of bookies it does and get a job in an industry he believes in . I suppose lots of people in all industries do jobs that they disagree with though and everyone needs money I suppose.
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Merson was and still is a self destructive degenerate. Show is just a cash grab. Take it from me. Someone who knows all about his BS….fine player though…
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Says he's not worried about the money he lost , more so the time? Eh, what do overpaid footballers do with their spare time anyway? Most of them are perv's and degen's lol
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BBC got their monies worth
Only the other week they had him in to talk about his drinking and showed old footage of him blubbing in a press conference cos he couldnt give it up |
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he was on gmb with sussananh and madeley the other week also crying about how he had a relapse in lockdown and lost his deposit on a new house due to gambling at the end madeley got up and shook his hand telling paul how brave he was
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The guy has lead an exciting life and achieved plenty. Sure, he's had his up's and down's but who hasn't? I won't be losing any sleep over his problems. Now if we do our betting banks, will we get a guess spot on GMB and a shoulder to cry on? No chance! lol
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Don't know anything about Paul Merson or even soccer for that matter but surely after all those alleged gambling problems but to then appear on a promotional betting advertisement is obscene , isn't it ?
Or is it me ? Couldn't watch a trash program like that is my life depended on it and as for any book i'd want paying good money to be forced to read such junk. Laughing stock rather than someone to feel sorry for. |
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Endorsing betting firms is totally beyond the pale but he'll do anything for a pound note or so it would appear anyway.
I wouldn't read this book even if they were being given out for free, I've got better things to do than read that nonsense. Brave my ar@e, don't make me laugh. |
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Watched a couple of clips on the BBC web site. Looks well worth a watch. This one about risk/reward/brain plasticity, the frightening bit is most of us are there with the physical reasons we can't easily change our behaviour should we want to:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p09y3lgl |
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I'm expecting a lot of tears...
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1 hour long programme will be alot of tears 11kv
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7 million ..... a night out in the casino for golf's big man.
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Quite a juxtaposition for auntie, bbc1 an hour's naval gazing about gambling addiction, bb2 the new labour revolution.
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Wiil they discuss what effect the white powder he snorted had on his gambling iyo?
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More top quality TV shows on the BBC....followed by the news and then RuPaul's Drag Race UK
RuPaul’s Drag Race UK returns for a third series. Global drag icon RuPaul presides as twelve fabulous queens compete to be crowned the UK’s next Drag Race superstar. Why does the BBC still exist? |
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They are unbiased whippin,unless you are white,healthy and hetero!!?
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When I was younger they produced some of the finest TV, probably anywhere in the world. Can you imagine the type of people who run the show now? All on huge salaries, all hugely untalented.
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Should be renamed LGBTV+ imo.No room for normal people anymore.
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Yes and sky ports news should be renamed sky sports racist news imo.
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If you're a white working class guy, there's nothing for you on the BBC. Even final score has been hijacked with the high pitched shrill of women reporting from around the grounds.
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