European Championship dangerous for young adults?
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20 Jun 2024 •
Reading time: 2 minutes Sporza’s European Championship forecast is a great success: 190,000 people have already taken the chance to predict the results of the European Championship matches. But experts warn of the dangers of gambling, especially for young people. Is Sporza’s free betting a harmless game or a “wrong signal” that normalizes gambling?
Predictions game of Sporza
Sporza launched the European Championship forecast at the beginning of June and is attracting a lot of visitors to the site. Well-known Flemish people, such as Hein Vanhaezebrouck, dare to make their predictions and the emphasis is on fun among friends, family or colleagues. There is no cash prize to be won, only eternal fame for the best forecaster.
Temptation to real money gambling?
Yet experts warn of the other side of the coin. The free predictions can encourage people to gamble on matches for a fee, especially if they score well and think they can make money with it. The suggestion that you know “the numbers of the lotto” if you have already predicted a match correctly does not really help.
Gambling addiction and risk for young people
Gambling addiction expert Ronny Willemen points out that the number of people with a gambling addiction increases during major football tournaments, with young people between 18 and 30 years old as the largest risk group. He therefore calls for more warnings about the dangers of gambling, especially with free predictions such as those from Sporza.
Sporza not subject to gambling regulation
Because the European Championship predictions are free, Sporza does not have to compy to the strict rules for gambling sites. The channel does not require a license from the Gaming Commission. However, experts believe that Sporza, despite the absence of a legal obligation, should take more responsibility and warn more clearly about the risks of gambling.
Innocent game or first step towards gambling
Sporza’s European Championship predictions are an innocent game for many, but experts warn against the normalization of gambling, especially for young people. The line between free prediction and paid gambling can be blurred, with all the dangers that entails. Sporza would do well to pay more attention to the risks of gambling addiction and to protect young people against the temptation to gamble.