Scratch Cards as Christmas Gifts for Children: A Growing Concern

As the holiday season approaches, French authorities are raising concerns about the practice of offering scratch card games to children. A study by the ANJ (Autorité Nationale des Jeux), the French gambling authority, reveals that one in five French people are considering including these games as Christmas gifts, despite the risks they pose to young people. This trend raises questions about the educational and social consequences of normalizing gambling among children.

Why are scratch cards so appealing? What are the dangers? This article examines this worrying trend and offers recommendations for a more responsible Christmas.

Key Findings on Scratch Cards Offered to Children in 2024

• One in five French people are considering giving scratch cards to a child for Christmas, despite the educational and addictive risks associated with these practices.
• 94% of French people consider gambling to be dangerous for children, with an increased risk of developing an addiction at a young age.
• The ANJ reminds the public that scratch cards are prohibited from being sold to minors and calls for alternative gifts that are more suitable for children.
• A majority of young gamblers aged 15 to 17 turn to scratch cards, often influenced by the digital environment and targeted advertising.

The Autorité Nationale des Jeux (ANJ) is drawing attention to a concerning practice: offering scratch card games to children. A recent study reveals that a significant portion of the population is considering giving these games to minors for Christmas, despite the educational and psychological risks they can create.

Scratch Card Games: A Controversial Gift for Minors

Among those surveyed, a notable percentage stated that they might give scratch card games to a child for Christmas. This figure worries the ANJ, especially since the majority of these gifts are intended by parents for their own children. However, a significant portion of respondents find this practice inconceivable, highlighting the disconnect between intention and the perception of danger.

The Real Risks for Children

Scratch card games are widely perceived as dangerous activities for children. The study indicates that a vast majority believe they can promote early addiction, a risk amplified by the playful aspect and the prospect of “winning money easily.” In reality, these games normalize the link between money and chance from a young age, a practice that can lead to problematic behaviors in the long term.

Minors and Gambling: Facts and Behaviors

A study supported by the ANJ confirms that a substantial percentage of young people aged 15 to 17 have already played gambling games in the past twelve months, with a majority playing scratch cards. This practice, although legally prohibited, persists in a context where access to gambling remains too easy.

The omnipresent digital environment plays a crucial role: social networks and targeted advertising increasingly encourage young people to take an interest in these activities. Online gambling thus represents a significant portion of the habits of young players, often to the detriment of their family and school balance.

A Call for Vigilance for Christmas by the Autorité Nationale des Jeux

As the holidays approach, the ANJ invites parents and relatives to think about alternatives for gifts intended for children. According to the president of the ANJ:

Offering gambling games to a child, even in a playful form such as scratch cards, is not a trivial gesture. It is a gateway to dangerous practices that should not be trivialized.

As a reminder, gambling games are prohibited from being sold to minors, a regulation that a large percentage of parents who have already offered a scratch card game are aware of, but do not always respect.

Essential Recommendations

To reduce these behaviors, the ANJ proposes concrete actions:

• Involve parents in awareness campaigns.
• Further regulate advertising to protect young people.
• Strengthen the enforcement of the ban on the sale of gambling games to minors.
• Facilitate access to support systems for affected families.

This Christmas, pleasing children means making responsible gift choices, far from the illusory promises of gambling. Books, board games, or creative activities can offer an enriching alternative, without the risks associated with gambling.

Source: ANJ “Will there be scratch cards for children at the foot of the tree?”

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