French gambling regulator launches awareness campaign for Euro 2024
06 June 2024 - 17:43France's gambling watchdog, L’Autorité Nationale des Jeux (ANJ), has kicked off a new campaign focused on raising awareness about gambling risks in anticipation of Euro 2024. Developed in collaboration with the agency Rosbeef!, the initiative takes aim at what it perceives as the inadequacy of current mandatory warnings in gambling advertisements, particularly regarding sports betting addiction.
The campaign features personal stories of addiction and directs individuals to the Evalujeu website, offering tools for self-assessment of gambling habits along with access to counseling and support services. Its reach spans digital display ads, Snapchat social ads, digital audio radio spots, coverage in So Foot magazine, and video testimonials from players.
This launch follows a recent survey indicating that more than half of France's population plans to follow Euro 2024, with over a third of them intending to place bets. Football stands as the most popular sport for betting in France, constituting 52% of online wagers, totaling over €4 billion in bets throughout 2023.
ANJ has been outspoken in its criticism of betting operators, particularly concerning their extensive marketing efforts during previous events like the Euro 2021 football championship.
Isabelle Falque-Pierrotin, president of ANJ, emphasized, "Since the excesses seen during Euro 2021, gambling operators have begun to acknowledge their role in combating excessive gambling and have adjusted their strategies accordingly. This positive momentum must continue through Euro 2024 and the Olympic Games, and ANJ will remain vigilant in monitoring their practices."
Last month, the French gambling ombudsman, Médiateur des Jeux, released its annual report highlighting concerns that operators are delaying or rejecting account suspension requests. Honorary magistrate Denys Millet urged operators to promptly implement such measures when players fail to respond to prevention messages, avoid contact attempts, or exhibit changes in gambling behavior such as increased deposits and bets, indicating a loss of control.