EMBARRASSED Magpie Jack Crisp "forgot" players weren't allowed to bet on football when he placed a wager of more than $100 that involved the AFL last year.
He also believes gambling education for AFL players should be improved before more players get caught out.
Crisp, 21, was fined $5000 and ordered to undergo counselling for placing a $129 multibet involving various codes, including the AFL, early last season while he was playing for the Brisbane Lions.
Speaking publicly for the first time since his punishment was handed down last month, Crisp told AFL.com.au he made a "lapse in judgement" by placing the bets.
"It was obviously a big mistake. It shouldn't have been done," he said.
"It was just a lapse in my thinking, because I'd forgotten completely about it until I got reminded.
"I felt pretty bad and awful of course."
Crisp said he was not a regular gambler and had "laid off it for a while now".
The 190cm midfielder thought his fine and the requirement to undertake counseling was fair punishment.
But the former rookie, who returned home to Victoria as part of Dayne Beams' move to the Lions last October, said gambling education for players could be improved.
"Personally, I thought it was good, but it wasn't good enough because obviously I had those lapses in judgement," Crisp said.
"It doesn't stick clear in your head, especially when you come into the AFL system. You get bombarded with information.
"We should be getting told about it more instead of once a year, I think. That way no one does the embarrassing thing like I did."
Crisp said having conversations in smaller groups or one-on-one could help drive the message home.
He was not the only player investigated for AFL gambling over the off-season, with Western Bulldogs youngster Lachie Hunter cleared of placing a multi-bet during the NAB Challenge.
The AFL Players' Association has been contacted for comment.
Crisp was not the only player investigated for AFL gambling over the off-season, with Western Bulldogs youngster Lachie Hunter cleared of placing a multi-bet during the NAB Challenge.
Having copped his whack, Crisp said he was keen to move on and focus on football after a "really enjoyable" switch to Collingwood.
The left-footer played 18 games in three seasons for the Lions, but found his feet in the final six games last year when he averaged nearly 19 disposals, three tackles and a goal.
Crisp said he had to fight to control his nerves before returning to face his ex-teammates at the Gabba in round one, but he was happy with his performance after booting 1.1 from 12 disposals in a 12-point triumph.
"I copped a bit of heat early on from the boys. 'Rocky' (Tom Rockliff) and 'Greeny' (Josh Green), they both love getting under the opposition, but it wasn't too bad. They stopped after a couple of minutes," he said.
"It was a strong, solid performance and obviously I'm going to build on that.
"I've had a terrific pre-season and I started round one and I'm moving into round two, so it's all I could have asked for besides what happened a couple of weeks ago."
In a statement provided to AFL.com.au, the AFL Players' Association said it was tackling issues such as problem gambling via its new player welfare tool MAX360.
MAX 360 helps player development managers have "structured, ongoing and proactive" conversations which would allow clubs, players and other stakeholders to hold each other more accountable in future.
"We also provide an induction for our members and discuss the support that is available around problem gambling," the AFLPA's general manager of player development Brett Johnson said.
"And (we) have combined our wellbeing program with our football apprenticeship to ensure young players are provided with education around gambling when they first enter the system."
