Since September 2024, the National Gaming Authority (NGA) has stepped up its efforts to raise awareness among young amateur sportsmen and women of the risks associated with sports betting. In collaboration with the SportEasy application, an awareness campaign has been launched, followed by free sessions in sports associations. These initiatives aim to deconstruct preconceived ideas and prevent the dangers associated with sports betting.
Young people, a vulnerable target
Statistics show that young people aged between 18 and 34 account for 64% of bettors, and 44% of them plan to bet money on sports matches. This is a worrying trend, because the younger you start gambling, the greater the risk of addiction. What’s more, despite the ban on gambling by minors, more than a third of 15-17 year-olds have already gambled, according to the ANJ.
There is a widespread belief that you can make a living from sports betting. However, knowing a sport is no guarantee of winning, as chance is the name of the game. The ANJ points out that the risks of addiction and dependency associated with sports betting are identified by more than 7 out of 10 French people (73%).
The awareness-raising sessions organised by the ANJ highlight real-life accounts from people who have suffered from addiction to sports betting. These stories illustrate the harmful consequences for the mental health, financial situation and social relationships of the individuals concerned. The aim is to make young people aware of the real dangers associated with excessive betting.
Enhancing the value of sport for its own sake
One of the ANJ’s missions is to raise the profile of sport in its own right, without systematically associating it with betting. It is essential that young people appreciate sport for its intrinsic values, such as effort, fair play and camaraderie, rather than seeing it simply as a means of making money.
Since the beginning of the year, more than 100 young people have been made aware of these issues thanks to the ANJ’s involvement with organisations such as GPSO 92 Issy, the Académie Diomède, the Seine-Saint-Denis football district (93) and Issy Paris Hand. These interactive sessions provide an opportunity to talk directly with young sportspeople and answer their questions.
The importance of prevention
Prevention and awareness-raising among young people are essential if individuals are to make decisions on the basis of more complete information. Prevention campaigns in colleges and schools are recommended to provide information about the risks and realities of gambling, in particular by showing the possible consequences of excessive sports betting.
Sports associations play a central role in raising awareness. As local structures, they are in direct contact with young people and can pass on preventive messages about the dangers of sports betting. Many associations, such as those of the Seine-Saint-Denis football district and Issy Paris Hand, have already taken part in these initiatives and wish to continue their efforts.
Sports coaches and educators are on the front line in identifying young people in difficulty and opening up dialogue about the risks of gambling.
How do you organise an awareness-raising session?
The ANJ encourages all interested sports organisations to organise awareness-raising sessions. These sessions are free of charge and enable young sportspeople to be reached directly in their usual environment.Clubs can contact the ANJ via an online form to plan a session. The aim is to demystify sports betting and provide clear information to young people and those around them.