Table of Contents
As the big Roland-Garros tennis tournament comes closer, France’s gambling regulator is again warning people about the dangers of sports betting. A new awareness campaign is out now, trying to stop more people especially young men from getting addicted to betting.
This campaign first started during the Euro 2024 football tournament. After seeing how effective it was, France is using the same idea again this time for the tennis season.
Over 1 Million People in France Have Gambling Problems
According to OFDT, a public health agency in France, more than 1.17 million people in the country have gambling issues. Out of these, around 360,000 people are called “excessive gamblers.”
Sports betting is the most dangerous. Around 5.9% of sports bettors show serious signs of addiction. That’s six times higher than people who only play the lottery.
This is why France’s gambling authority, ANJ, is working hard to reduce this problem between 2024 and 2026. They want to lower the number of high-risk gamblers, especially among the youth.
New Type of Ads That Put Warnings First
Usually, gambling ads show flashy graphics and fun messages. The warnings are written in very small letters at the bottom. But now, the ANJ is doing things differently.
The new ads put the warning messages in big, bold letters right at the top of the posters. The banner is bright yellow—so nobody can miss it. The idea is simple: show it clearly, don’t hide the danger.
One ad says:
“Two lines at the bottom of an ad will never be enough to explain the spiral of sports betting addiction.”
These ads also tell true stories of real people who lost control of their gambling.
Evalujeu: A Website to Help Gamblers
Every ad gives a link to Evalujeu, a free website where users can check if they are gambling too much.
You can take a simple test, learn more about your habits, and even find help for yourself or your family. It’s easy to use, and many people have found it helpful.
The campaign has already won a top award Gold in the “Print Advertising” category at the 2024 Grand Prix Stratégies du Sport et de l’eSport. This shows that a strong message with a new look really works.
Extra Points to Make This Campaign Stronger
- Add social media awareness: The campaign can add short, emotional videos on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok to reach more young users.
- Collaborate with athletes: Famous tennis or football players can share their thoughts to make people listen more.
- Use real-time betting blockers: Apps can pop up during matches to remind users when they are betting too often.
- Include families in the campaign: A lot of families suffer silently. Ads could also focus on how gambling hurts not just the player but their loved ones too.
Also Read: How To Play Pyramid Solitaire: A Simple Guide
