Giving children scratch cards for Christmas: harmless gesture or real danger?
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24 Dec 2024 •
Reading time: 2 minutes Every year, the approach of Christmas reawakens the excitement of gift buying. However, one trend is now causing concern among the French National Gaming Authority (ANJ): offering scratch cards to children. According to a recent study by Toluna – Harris Interactive, 20% of French people are considering offering this type of game to a child for this Christmas. A figure that raises questions, both because of its scale and the risks it implies.
A popular but controversial gift
Despite a formal ban on sales to minors, scratch cards continue to be popular as one-off gifts. A quarter of French people have already offered a scratch card to a child, mainly within their own family. Among them, parents occupy the first place. Why does this practice seem so widespread?
The answer probably lies in the fun and accessible nature of these games. “Offering a scratch card is giving a dose of excitement and hope, even temporary. It seems like a harmless little thrill,” explains Marie, mother of two children. However, this perception can mask alarming realities.
An underestimated risk
According to Isabelle Falque-Pierrotin, president of the ANJ, the consequences of gambling among minors are far from trivial.
“Studies show that the earlier gambling starts, the greater the risk of addiction. Gambling is not child’s play!”
Moreover, a large majority of French people (94%) consider gambling to be dangerous for children, even more so than social networks or screens. This apprehension exists even among those who offer it, proof of a certain contradiction in their behavior. “I know it’s not ideal, but it’s just this once, during the holidays.” justifies Sophie, a caring aunt.
A booming market
In 2023, scratch cards represented 23% of the gambling market in France, with 28 different titles available for physical sale. This commercial success masks a real gateway to gambling for teenagers. According to the ENJEU Mineurs study, it is often these instant games that introduce young people aged 15 to 17 to the world of betting and wagering.
“It starts with a simple scratch card, then it can slide into sports betting or other riskier games,” warns an ANJ expert.
The call for parental responsibility
Faced with this situation, the ANJ has chosen to raise awareness among parents. Through information campaigns and public speaking engagements, it reminds us that early initiation into gambling can have lasting consequences on children’s behavior. And that it is crucial not to trivialize these practices, even for special occasions like Christmas. According to her, scratch cards should remain entertainment reserved for adults.