AFJEL rejects claims of youth targeting by betting ads during 2026 World Cup | OneFootball

AFJEL has rejected claims that sports betting advertising during the 2026 World Cup targeted young people in disadvantaged suburbs.

As reported by L'Équipe, the online operators’ association denied any deliberate strategy based on social vulnerability, calling the allegations false, fanciful and unfounded. The position came a day after statements from Addictions France.

The health charity said exposure to betting adverts was constant and unavoidable during the tournament, and often aimed at a young audience in working-class suburbs, with 1.3 billion euros staked in France. It said it logged one advert every two minutes across posters and screens on public transport between Seine-Saint-Denis and Paris.

AFJEL countered that the presence of adverts in transport, counts of social media posts or campaign visibility do not establish a recruitment strategy targeting socially vulnerable people. Addictions France also pointed to Betclic, sponsor of France and of World Cup sports broadcasts, installing red domes in six cities that let passers-by back Les Bleus to win, including children, linking betting with a France victory.

AFJEL said addiction prevention and the protection of minors are priorities it fully shares, arguing the seriousness of the issue demands rigour rather than the spread of false information or the elevation of suspicions to certainties.

Addictions France criticised World Cup broadcasters for failing to air prevention spots despite a 2022 pledge to Arcom, saying it had offered its own to TF1, M6, France TV and beIN Sports without success. AFJEL responded that eight operators ran responsible gambling communications.

The association said it reserves the right to take legal action over allegations it considers damaging to its reputation.

Source: L'Équipe

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