iGaming.com partners with Neil 'Razor' Ruddock for safer gambling content

iGaming.com has partnered with former Premier League footballer Neil 'Razor' Ruddock to publish editorial content promoting safer gambling practices, the company said. The collaboration is presented through iGamingCare, iGaming.com’s editorial platform focused on player wellbeing and responsible gambling.

In an interview published on iGamingCare.com, Ruddock discussed his own experiences with addiction and the importance of speaking openly when struggling. “I went through a serious drinking problem after retiring. Transitioning out of football is tough: you go from being surrounded by 40 lads in a dressing room every day having a laugh to suddenly sitting at home with nothing to do. I started heading down the pub and reverted into a teenager, mainly because my actual teenage years were consumed by professional football discipline.

I'm close friends with Paul Merson, who faced similar struggles with gambling and drinking. Fortunately, I managed to come through the other side. Today, I'm in a great place with a wonderful wife, great kids, and five dogs,” Ruddock said.

Ruddock also described how he approaches betting, including keeping stakes small and treating it as entertainment. “My wife and I enjoy watching the horse racing, and I'll put a pound or two down, but I'm not a big gambler. I love a Saturday accumulator! My wife is actually far better at wagers than I am – she doesn't even study the form, just picks random selections and wins more than me!

"I usually put a fiver on an accumulator backing my former clubs: Millwall, Tottenham, West Ham, Crystal Palace, Liverpool, and Swindon. Last season they rarely all won on the same weekend, but it's a fun weekly tradition.”

Asked how he stays in control, he added: “By keeping stakes low! A fiver is less than the price of a pint these days. If I go to Chester Races with mates in September, I might go up to £20 a race to push the boat out, but I keep it strictly as light entertainment. It's just a bit of fun.” The iGamingCare article also lists safer gambling tips including setting limits, avoiding “chasing” losses, choosing licensed and regulated operators, and seeking help when needed.