Euro 2024: Betting Intentions High, Addiction Risks Loom
More than half of French citizens plan to follow the Euro 2024 football tournament, scheduled from June 14th to July 14th. A significant portion of these fans intends to place bets, raising concerns about potential addiction, according to a recent survey by the Autorité Nationale des Jeux (ANJ), the national gambling authority.
The Toluna-Harris Interactive study, conducted in May with a sample of 1,070 people, reveals that while many plan to engage in friendly wagers with friends and family, 35% intend to bet real money on the matches. This figure rises to 44% among those under 35.
Potential Record for Betting Turnover
The ANJ highlights that 82% of French people recognize the risks of addiction and dependence associated with sports betting. This awareness is even higher among those planning to bet during the Euro, showing a 9-point increase compared to 2022. Despite this awareness, the regulator anticipates a record-breaking betting turnover for the tournament, potentially reaching one billion euros. The performance of the French national team will significantly influence the final amount wagered.
Football Dominates Betting Landscape
The previous Euro tournament in 2021, where France was eliminated in the round of 16, generated 700 million euros in bets in France (online and in physical locations). The 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where France reached the final, saw bets climb to 900 million euros. Football remains the most popular sport for betting in France, accounting for 52% of online stakes in 2023, totaling over 4 billion euros. Tennis and basketball follow in popularity.
The ANJ notes that 64% of sports bettors are between 18 and 34 years old. To address the risks of addiction, the ANJ will launch a prevention campaign on June 13th, the day before the Euro begins.
The Observatoire des Jeux, which studies gambling-related issues, estimated in 2019 that 1.4 million people in France were at risk of problematic gambling, with nearly 400,000 exhibiting pathological behavior.
“Since the excesses of the Euro in 2021, gambling operators have become more aware of their responsibilities in the fight against excessive gambling and have adjusted their practices,” says Isabelle Falque-Pierrotin, President of the ANJ. “This positive dynamic must continue during the Euro and the Olympic Games, and the ANJ will be vigilant about the actual practices of all involved.”
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