Scots footballers turn to loan sharks to fund their gambling addiction

Footballers are resorting to loan sharks as they struggle to deal with gambling addiction, a charity has said.

Colin Bland, chief executive of Sporting Chance, which supports those suffering from addiction, spoke out after it that emerged a Scottish Premiership footballer had voluntarily asked to be banned from all branches of Ladbrokes.

The bookmaker, which sponsors the Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL), has begun an internal investigation after a memo outlining the self-exclusion agreement relating to the player was leaked and appeared online. The Times has chosen not to name him.

Mr Bland’s clinic has treated notable sporting figures including Paul Gascoigne, the former Rangers and England player. Mr Bland said that more and more professional footballers were seeking help for gambling addiction. He said