The gambling are prohibited for minors. Yet many teenagers are exposed to them at a very early age, particularly online, where the boundaries between sport, entertainment, video games and money can become blurred.
35%
Young people aged 15 to 17 have already gambled at least once.
41%
Some French people who plan to follow the World Cup are thinking of betting on the matches.
67%
People under the age of 25 who regularly gamble say they have felt they were losing control at some point.
Source: National Gaming Authority (ANJ)
Why can sports betting become a risky business?
Sports betting may seem like a harmless pastime, linked to the enjoyment of watching a match, supporting a team or the desire to “spice up” a competition. But it is based on mechanisms that can lead to a loss of control.
The urge to play again after a loss, the belief that you can “make up for it”, the search for quick wins, or the difficulty in stopping are all warning signs.
The danger is when gambling takes precedence over the enjoyment of sport.
We no longer watch the match to enjoy it, but to keep track of a bet. If we lose, we try to recoup our losses, we get frustrated, we withdraw from others, and we can gradually lose control.
What are the warning signs to look out for?
Certain behaviours may indicate that gambling is becoming a problem, particularly when it takes up an increasing amount of time in a person’s daily life.
- Play more and more often; ;
- Betting increasingly large sums; ;
- Finding it hard to stop; ;
- Playing again in an attempt to recoup the money lost; ;
- Hiding one’s gambling habits from loved ones; ;
- Lying about the amount of time spent playing or the amounts wagered; ;
- Borrowing money or experiencing financial difficulties; ;
- Feeling guilty, stressed, angry or anxious after playing; ;
- Withdrawing from others or losing interest in other activities; ;
- No longer watching a match for the sake of the sport itself, but solely for the sake of betting.
These signs should not be dismissed. The earlier the situation is identified, the easier it is to seek help and prevent the behaviour from becoming a long-term habit.
What should I do if I am under 18 and am gambling or placing sports bets?
If you gamble or place sports bets, it’s important not to keep this to yourself. Even if you’re afraid of being judged, punished or letting your loved ones down, talking about it is the first step towards getting help.
1. Talk to someone about it
You can talk to a trusted adult, such as your parents, a family member, a carer, a teacher or a friend, who can help you talk about it.
2. Explain the situation
How long have you been gambling? How often? On which websites or apps? Have you lost any money? Do you feel like you can’t stop?
3. Ask for help
The helpline staff at 3018 are here to listen to you, offer advice and provide support. The service is free, anonymous and confidential.
Need to talk about it? Call 3018
The 3018 service is available 7 days a week, from 9am to 11pm, by phone, via live chat on 3018.fr and via the 3018 app.
What should I do if my child is gambling or betting online?
Discovering that your child is gambling or bet online may be cause for concern. However, it is essential to avoid a purely punitive response, which could encourage silence or secrecy.
The priority is to open a dialogue, understand the situation and establish a clear framework.
1. Do not trivialise
Gambling is not a harmless activity for young people. Even when it seems to be linked to socialising or a match, it can lead to addiction.
2. Engaging in dialogue without judgement
Try to understand how your child started gambling, with whom, how often, with what money, and what role gambling has come to play in their daily life.
3. Lead by example
Children and teenagers observe how adults behave. Avoid presenting betting as a way to make money or as an essential part of enjoying a match.
4. Securing digital access
Check which apps are installed, monitor payment methods, enable parental controls, block access to gambling websites, and discuss content that normalises gambling.
5. Suggest other activities
Sport, creative activities, going out, games that don’t involve money, spending time with family or friends: it is important to help young people rediscover activities that do not revolve around making money or taking financial risks.
6. Ask for help
If your child is unable to stop, lies, isolates themselves, gets into debt or shows signs of severe distress, it is important not to cope with this alone. The 3018 helpline can support young people and their families when facing online risks.
Good habits to remember
- Please note that gambling is prohibited for minors; ;
- Do not present betting as an easy way to make money; ;
- Discussing the risks ahead of major sporting events; ;
- Be alert to changes in behaviour; ;
- Control access to applications, websites and payment methods; ;
- Do not leave a young person alone when they are losing control; ;
- Contact 3018 if you have any doubts or need support.
The World Cup must remain a sporting celebration
A passion for football, betting with friends and the excitement surrounding an international competition should not make us forget the risks associated with sports betting, particularly for young people.
Preventing these risks means talking about them openly. It means helping young people to recognise the mechanisms of addiction. It means reminding them that sport can be enjoyed to the full without betting money.
The World Cup must remain a celebration. Not a gateway to addiction.
Assess your gambling habits on Evalujeu, a tool developed by the ANJ
Our articles on the subject
Protecting young children from screens: e-Enfance / 3018 calls for stronger prevention measures
Protection of minors online: when judges follow in the footsteps of European legislators
Gaming platforms: areas with insufficient moderation in the face of paedophile risks
The French Football Federation supports the e-Enfance Association /3018
