Euro 2024 Betting Surge: French Regulator Warns of Addiction Risks
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 jumps to 44% among those under 35.
Record Betting Expected
The ANJ anticipates that total bets placed on the tournament could reach a record-breaking one billion euros. The performance of the French national team will significantly influence the final amount.
The regulator highlights that 82% of French people recognize the risks of addiction and dependency associated with sports betting. This awareness is even higher among those planning to bet during the Euro, showing a 9-point increase since 2022.
Football Dominates Betting Landscape
The previous Euro tournament in 2021, where France exited 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 rise 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 behind. The ANJ notes that 64% of sports bettors are between 18 and 34 years old.
To address these concerns, the ANJ will launch a prevention campaign on June 13th, the day before the Euro begins, focusing on the risks of sports betting addiction.
Addressing Problem Gambling
In 2019, the Observatoire des Jeux estimated that 1.4 million people in France were at risk of problem gambling, with nearly 400,000 classified as pathological gamblers.
“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 everyone involved,” she added in a statement.
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