The Big Step is a campaign to end all gambling advertising in football, part of the charity Gambling with Lives, which supports families bereaved by gambling-related suicide and campaigns for change.
We are proud to be in partnership with Forest Green Rovers.
Gambling harm impacts millions in the UK, with 20% of the population harmed directly or indirectly by gambling. There are estimated to be between 117 and 496 suicides linked to gambling every year in England alone.
Since legalisation was relaxed in 2005, football has been hi-jacked by the gambling industry, which uses our game to pull people into addiction.
It’s now impossible to watch football without being bombarded by gambling adverts: one study found that 3,500 gambling logos can appear during a single televised Premier League game.
But The Big Step, now supported by over 40 clubs, is fighting back. FGR joined the campaign in 2021, and hosted a Big Step campaign event at a pre-season friendly against Swansea. The following year FGR players took part in our Yellow Laces campaign to call for an end to all gambling advertising in football in their FA Cup game against South Shields, which was broadcast live on the BBC.
FGR has also signed numerous letters to government and the English Football League.
If you want to get involved, click here to add your name to our petition and join over 120,000 who back our campaign. If you, or someone you know, is struggling with gambling then please visit Chapter One, a service providing information and support for everyone affected by gambling, and training for professionals.
There has never been a better time to get help.
