As the 2024 European Championship approaches, France’s gaming authority, the ANJ, is initiating a program to combat the possibility of wagering dependence. They are especially worried about adolescents, who constitute a significant percentage of those who gamble on athletics in France.
This is unsurprising, given football’s immense popularity in France. With the Euros on the horizon, everyone will be captivated by their screens. Studies indicate that over half the nation will be watching the competition, and a substantial portion of them will be placing wagers on the matches. Football is already the most favored sport for betting in France, generating billions of euros annually.
The ANJ recognizes that major events like this can trigger a surge in problematic gambling. Their latest initiative, conceived by the agency Rosbeef!, centers on those small legal notices found in betting advertisements. They aim to demonstrate that a brief, insignificant message is insufficient to address the very real dangers of gambling addiction.
Rather than just the customary cautions, the campaign employs eye-catching yellow banners and genuine accounts from individuals who have battled gambling addiction. It serves as a potent reminder that betting can have severe repercussions.
The campaign also guides individuals to Evalujeu, an online platform where anyone concerned about their gambling behaviors can participate in a questionnaire, receive guidance, and locate support resources.
This marketing approach utilizes online display advertisements, social media promotions on platforms such as Snapchat, digital audio spots, print advertisements in publications like So Foot, and video material featuring athlete testimonials.
The Director General of the French National Gaming Authority (ANJ), Isabelle Falque-Pierrotin, highlighted a change in the sector: “Following the increase in wagering during the UEFA Euro 2020 competition, gaming providers are more cognizant of their responsibility in preventing problem gambling and have modified their procedures accordingly.”
She further underscored the necessity for ongoing attentiveness, remarking, “This favorable trend requires sustenance during major occasions like the European Championships and the Olympic Games. The ANJ will be meticulously observing the measures implemented during each of these events.”
