Football fans are being offered a free haircut before Kilmarnock's match at Rugby Park this weekend – in a bid to open up the dialogue about gambling.
Charity GambleAware will be hosting a pop-up Bet Regret barber shop outside the ground ahead of Killie's Premiership clash with Hibernian on Saturday.
The barber shop will encourage self-reflection on betting behaviour and the benefits of the charity’s nationwide ‘Bet Regret’ campaign – all in exchange for a free trim.
‘Bet Regret’ describes the universal feeling of remorse bettors often get when they make an impulsive bet – particularly when chasing losses, drunk or bored.
Saturday’s pop-up will be part of a UK-wide tour specifically aimed at targeting young men – the group at highest risk of dangerous gambling.
Around 92 per cent of the young male demographic also visit the barbers at least once a month – making the setting the perfect opportunity to spread awareness.
Nick Maclure, one of the resident barbers on the mobile barber shop said: “As barbers, we are used to our customers opening up to us about personal topics that they wouldn’t typically discuss.
“I’m looking forward to touring the country and chatting openly to fellow sports’ fans about their betting behaviour, raising awareness about Bet Regret.
“We will be shining a spotlight on bets they might immediately regret, promoting conversations between friends, with the ambition of encouraging bettors to reduce higher risk betting so that their future betting is safer and less impulsive.”
Recent research from the Gambling Commission reveals hat 1.2 million students in the UK gamble – with two in three having gambled in the past month and one in four betting more than they can afford.
The barber shop will be run by top-of-the-range, experienced barbers who are trained in discussing Bet Regret and raising awareness about the risks of impulsive bets.
The tour kicked off on May 12 in Manchester and the second leg will begin in Scotland, travelling to sporting venues, university campuses and city centres over the next four weeks.
Marc Etches, chief executive officer for GambleAware, said: “This is an important way to engage with communities across the country and open discussions with sports bettors, enabling them to consider the risks involved with betting and reflect on it.
“With our barbers, people will have the opportunity not only to receive a haircut, but also develop their understanding of Bet Regret and consider their betting behaviour in the future.”
For more information, visit BeGambleAware.org/BetRegret
