France's National Gambling Authority (ANJ) has launched a new campaign aimed at preventing problem gambling and illegal betting in the lead-up to Euro 2024. This initiative seeks to increase public awareness of the risks associated with gambling addiction and the issues that can arise from it.
As part of the campaign, advertising messages about sports betting will now feature a highlighted section in yellow, emphasizing the risks of addiction. Additionally, the campaign will include videos sharing real-life stories of individuals affected by gambling addiction. These efforts are designed to educate the public on the dangers of excessive gambling and promote responsible betting practices.
The ANJ's campaign was initiated one week before Euro 2024 kicks off in Germany. Despite the tournament yet to begin, French citizens have already wagered approximately one billion euros on various football teams. Analysts predict that these figures could rise significantly depending on France's performance in the tournament, as the national team is considered one of the favorites to win the competition's top prize.
According to ANJ, more than €4 billion in online sports bets were placed in 2023, with 52% of these bets on football. Notably, 64% of sports bettors were aged between 18 and 34, highlighting the importance of targeting younger demographics in the campaign to prevent gambling-related issues.