Gambling
Protecting and preventing young people from online gambling and games of chance
15-17 year olds have gambled, even though they are prohibited for those under 18.
Quantitative survey conducted by ANJ and SEDAP among 5,000 young people, 2021
What are games of chance and gambling?
Games of chance and gambling are characterised by wagering money or property, with the outcome determined by chance. They include:
- Lottery (draw games and scratch card games): The offer is available at points of sale and online, through Française des Jeux (FDJ).
- Sports betting: The offer is available both at FDJ points of sale and online from authorised operators. The list of authorised operators is available on the website of the French National Gaming Authority (ANJ).
- Horse racing betting: The service is operated in retail outlets by Pari Mutuel Urbain (PMU) and online on a competitive basis by licensed operators.
- Poker: Gaming services are mainly operated in a competitive environment on the Internet and in Parisian casinos and gaming clubs.
- The games of table and slot machines: Offered by casinos and gaming clubs.
What are the risks?
The risks associated with gambling are numerous and can be serious for minors :
- Addiction: Gambling can create a dependence. This can lead to a loss of control, where young players feel a compulsive need to continue playing, despite the negative consequences.
- Financial difficulties: Gamblers can quickly accumulate debts, exhaust their savings or even borrow or steal money to fund their gambling. This financial instability can have lasting effects.
- Impact on mental health: Engaging in gambling can lead to stress, anxiety or even depression. Miners are particularly vulnerable to these impacts., as they often lack the coping mechanisms needed to manage these negative emotions. This can also have an impact on attendance and academic performance.
- Social isolation: Young players can isolate themselves from their friends and family, preferring to spend time playing rather than socialising. This isolation can be detrimental to social relationships and emotional development.
What does the law say?
In France, the law strictly regulates gambling, the gambling market and gambling practices:
- Protection of minors: The Act of 2 October 2019 strictly prohibits persons under the age of 18 from participating in games of chance and gambling and regulates the entire market dedicated to these practices in order to protect minors.
- Player protection: The gambling operators must implement measures to protect players, including the protection of minors and assets, as well as messages to prevent addiction. Operators who allow minors to access their services are liable to severe penalties, such as fines, suspension or withdrawal of their operating licence, and legal proceedings.
- Advertisement: Advertising for gambling is regulated by law so as not to target minors. Advertising messages must include warnings about the risks of addiction and avoid presenting gambling as a solution to financial problems or a means of easy enrichment.
- Player identification: Online gaming operators must verify the age and identity of players before allowing them to register and play, which involves presenting identity documents to ensure that the player is of legal age.
- Education and prevention: The State and regulatory bodies, such as the National Gaming Authority (ANJ), conduct information and prevention campaigns on the risks associated with gambling, with a particular focus on protecting minors.
- Parental responsibility: The law encourages parental responsibility with regard to gambling, raising parents' awareness of the associated risks and encouraging them to monitor their children's online activities.
How to deal with gambling addiction?
What should I do if I am a gambler myself?
You must not remain silent, especially if you are a minor. You need to talk about it to find help:
- To a trusted adult in your circle.
- To your parents, a family member or your teacher.
- A mate or friend you trust, who can talk to an adult with you.
- At listeners of 3018 who are there to listen to you, advise you and support you. The number is free, anonymous and confidential, and available from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m., 7 days a week.
→ When you decide to talk about it, it is important to explain your situation in detail.
- How long have you been playing?
- How often do you play?
- What type of gambling or games of chance do you play?
- Do you have money problems?
WHAT TO DO IF my child is a GAMBLER:
It is important to remember that gambling is not without consequences, even though it may seem fun for children. This activity should not be trivialised.
Protect and supervise:
It is essential to limit your child's online activities by using parental control tools to block access to gambling sites. It is important to promote healthy activities and leisure pursuits that are not related to gambling, such as sport, reading or artistic activities.
Focus on ARPEJ's OPERA programme
The e-Enfance / 3018 Association is part of the OPÉRA programme run by ARPEJ (Regional Agency for Early Childhood and Youth), an educational initiative to prevent gambling addiction. This programme, designed to raise awareness among high school students and young adults (aged 16-19) about the risks of gambling addiction, is scientifically validated and inspired by the Canadian BIEN JOUÉ programme. It aims to prevent risky behaviour and help young people better understand the dangers of gambling.
Objectives:
– Strengthen psychosocial skills,
– Understand the risks and mechanisms of gambling,
– Deconstructing erroneous beliefs.
The OPÉRA programme, offered free of charge in secondary schools and local missions, consists of five structured sessions for groups of 15 participants. The e-Enfance / 3018 Association is authorised to deliver this programme, enabling our facilitators, who are specially trained for this task, to run the sessions with the aid of two educational kits.
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Bullying, cyberbullying, revenge porn, webcam blackmail, identity theft, gender-based and sexual violence, exposure to violent and pornographic content, etc., and all issues related to usage (video games, parental controls, account settings, overexposure to screens).
