Addiction group calls to ban athletes from promoting sports betting | OneFootball

Fédération Addiction has urged tighter curbs on sports betting to protect young people, on the eve of France’s World Cup opener.

According to Le Progres, the association wants bans on athletes promoting betting and on operator sponsorship of competitions and teams, plus stronger sanctioning powers for the regulator ANJ.

It has set out 15 urgent measures and warns that growth in betting hides health and social harms including addiction, debt and mental health problems.

Stakes are expected to hit a new record. The group says marketing is omnipresent, targets young men, especially from working class neighbourhoods, and that many fans now see betting as part of sport.

It also wants to bar sportspeople, coaches, pundits and commentators from promoting betting. It describes sports betting as the main gateway for young people into gambling, despite being illegal for minors.

It calls for the ANJ to be able to fine or withdraw licences for breaches such as targeting vulnerable people or promising enrichment. It also seeks a cross-ministerial strategy across Health, Education and Youth.

AFJEL, which represents operators, says identified excessive players are excluded from marketing, and that prevention plans are validated by the ANJ. The regulator estimates 600,000 players are highly likely to be excessive, accounting for 60% of gross gaming revenue.

Source: Le Progres