Wayne Rooney launches responsible gambling campaign

Former England international is part of the campaign from Derby sponsors 32Red to help punters make sensible choices when betting.

UK.- Derby County footballer Wayne Rooney is launching a campaign to encourage responsible gambling in the United Kingdom.

The 34-year old former England international is part of the campaign from Derby sponsors 32Red to help punters make sensible choices when betting.

He appears alongside boxer Carl Frampton and jockey Paddy Brennan in a minute long video speaking directly to camera, asking “Do you gamble responsibly?”, as well as encouraging gamblers to “set limits on your play” and “how long you play for”.

32Red Managing Director, Neil Banbury, said: “For most people, football is the main passion point. That gives us an opportunity to connect with that audience.

“If it’s Wayne talking in the video and he also pushes it out through his channels, that reaches far more people and they’re more likely to listen than if it was just a TV ad with a voiceover.”

Rooney, who is both England and Manchester United’s record goalscorer, has been open about his own gambling issues in the past.

Upon signing for the Rams from DC United as player-coach, he was criticised for wearing the number 32 shirt for the club in conjunction with working alongside the betting sponsor.

Last week, MPs in the UK requested that betting firms do more to promote responsible gambling with the ongoing spread of the Coronavirus in the UK and many people under lockdown measures.