These bets are highly addictive and can have significant consequences for the health and social well-being of both the gamblers themselves and those around them. The “Gambling Is No Small Matter” campaign, running through November 22, raises awareness among gamblers and their loved ones about the risks associated with problem gambling and directs them to the Joueurs Info Service, a remote support and counseling service.

The Health and Social Consequences of Sports Betting

Although most of the risks associated with gambling in general (particularly financial problems and addiction) may be known to the majority of gamblers, they are often dismissed by them²,³. Among sports bettors, this phenomenon is even more pronounced, as they tend to view betting less as a game of chance and more as a game of skill (the illusion of expertise). Yet the consequences are real: excessive debt, family problems, social isolation, and suicide⁴ in the most severe cases.

There is also a link between pathological gambling and mental disorders, described in several studies of the general population⁵,⁶,⁷. According to these studies, anxiety disorders are nearly four times more common among pathological gamblers. Similarly, the risk of mood disorders is 4.4 times higher, and that of manic episodes is 8.8 times higher among them.

Smoking, alcohol use or abuse, and drug dependence are more common among pathological gamblers. A study of the general population^⁷ estimated that the risk of dependence on these substances was 6.7, 6.0, and 4.4 times higher, respectively, among pathological gamblers.

The 2010 Santé publique France Health Barometer survey also highlights the link between excessive gambling and the use of alcohol, tobacco, and cannabis (risks increased by 2.8, 1.6, and 2.0 times, respectively).

Furthermore, while players may be less aware of the psychological consequences on those around them, these account for a large portion (90%) of the social costs associated with gambling.

The Rise of Sports Betting in France

Sports betting has grown considerably and become increasingly popular in France in recent years,⁸ particularly among a young audience, which is especially vulnerable. In fact, 72% of bettors are between the ages of 18 and 35 (nearly 50% are between 18 and 25). These gamblers often come from low-income backgrounds and are more frequently unemployed.

Every sporting event is subject to intense advertising pressure. During Euro 2021, the amount of online wagers reached €434 million, three times more than during Euro 2016 (€141 million)⁹. This advertising pressure contributes to the normalization of sports betting10 in society.

In France, sports betting was the second most common form of gambling in 2019, behind lottery games: 5.2% of adults placed at least one bet during the year (representing 11% of gamblers). It is also the only form of gambling whose prevalence increased between 2014 and 2019 among the adult population (+37%). The amounts wagered by players have increased 2.8-fold over five years.

However, the risk of excessive gambling is 5 to 6 times higher for sports bettors than for lottery players.

Out of every 100 sports bettors, about 15 are at risk of developing problematic gambling behavior.

A program to inform and prevent the risks of sports betting

The shift toward problem gambling often begins with a win, followed by a loss, the hope of recovering those losses, and an escalation toward increasingly significant financial losses, leading to excessive debt, family conflicts, and psychological and social difficulties.

The goal of the campaign launched by Santé publique France is to raise awareness of the risks of sports betting, given the pervasive presence of gambling operators in young people’s daily lives (sponsorships, advertisements, TV shows, and websites and apps dedicated to bettors). Committed to preventing and reducing risks associated with addictive behaviors (tobacco, alcohol, drugs, and gambling), the Agency has for many years been disseminating messages and offering support and counseling services to promote healthy behaviors among the general public.

The campaign’s concept is to debunk common misconceptions about sports betting through an audio “debate show” in which Mohamed Bouhafsi, a journalist and columnist, and Laurent Karila, an addiction specialist, interviewed by actor Fred Testot, break down the issues surrounding sports betting in a dynamic and spontaneous format. Several topics are addressed, such as the influence of gaming operators, their marketing techniques, the addictive nature of sports betting, as well as the mechanisms and consequences of addiction. Short video clips distributed digitally will complement the information campaign and will be released a few days after the campaign launches.

The campaign’s tagline, “Betting is no small matter,” helps demystify sports betting and reminds players of the risks they face. They are invited to find more information on the dedicated Joueurs Info Service website of Santé publique France.

Joueurs Info Service: personalized support for players and their loved ones

The Joueurs-Info-Service remote support program is aimed at the general public, particularly those struggling with their gambling habits and their loved ones. It offers personalized support and a listening ear, specialized information, spaces for discussion (discussion forums or group chats) and mutual support, as well as a directory of organizations qualified to treat gambling addiction.

This service includes:

• A toll-free, anonymous hotline at 09 74 75 13 13, available 7 days a week from 8 a.m. to 2 a.m. It connects gamblers or their loved ones with counselors and provides initial guidance.

• A website answers all the questions that gamblers and their loved ones may have. How can I limit my gambling? How can I manage my financial problems? What can I do to help them? The site provides practical and legal advice and directs users to professionals through a directory of 3,000 organizations specializing in addiction treatment. For players and their loved ones, the site offers a search engine to help them find the right organization in their area: individual counseling, support groups, and support for loved ones are available at certain Centers for Addiction Care, Support, and Prevention (CSAPA) trained to treat gambling addiction. Beyond its informational purpose, Joueurs Info Service offers genuine personalized assistance through the “Your Questions, Our Answers” section, the one-on-one chat module, and the online call-back service. Every user can receive a personalized response to their questions and speak privately with a counselor from the Joueurs Info Service helpline.