Hamilton boss Brian Rice has made a shock claim about gambling addictions in the Scottish game - saying up to 85 percent of those within a changing room are betting on football.

The Accies manager was slapped with a 10 game ban with five matches suspended after admitting to having a gambling problem and writing to the SFA to express his regret and admit guilt.

READ MORE: Brian Rice case highlight how approach to gambling in Scottish football has to be revisited

Rice was inundated with support after his admission but has now claimed the whopping number of those inside the game are gambling on their sport.

Some, he says, even use pseudonyms to hide their true identity and avoid punishment from the higher-ups.

In an interview with Lanarkshire Live Sport, Rice said: "I know for certain there is between 80-85 percent of players in dressing rooms gambling on football. Under various names, other people's names, everything. Any way to do it and I think there's a very high percentage of young kids who have started gambling or have been caught in the grips of gambling but are scared to come forward because of the consequences.

"These kids need help, they're crying out for help. They want to stop but are afraid to stop in case they get banned or their name is on the front of the papers. I put my career on the line here, everything on the line here to do this. I hope it gives them the strength and courage to come forward and ask for this help."