French study reveals teen betting habits

A study by the French Observatory on Drugs and Addictive Trends (OFDT), published on Tuesday, found that one quarter of 17-year-old adolescents report placing bets online despite legal prohibitions. The findings highlight a concerning trend in youth engagement with online gambling, even though it is illegal for those under 18.

Advertising is pervasive in youth spaces

The study highlights the widespread presence of sports betting advertising across various media channels, including online platforms, television, and public spaces. Some adolescents expressed feeling "strong advertising pressure," noting that advertisements are frequently encountered, sometimes near schools.

Ad exposure linked to media diversity

The OFDT attributes this exposure to the "diversification" of media consumed by adolescents, such as television, social media, and computers. This broad media consumption increases the likelihood of encountering gambling advertisements, which are designed to be highly visible and engaging.

Personalized ads fuel betting behavior

The study also points to the risks of personalized and algorithmic advertising in promoting online betting, which encourages some sports enthusiasts to engage in betting. Targeted advertising, including aggressive welcome offers, creates "the illusion of a risk-free practice," facilitating entry into a "vicious circle" and contributing to the normalization of online betting.

Warning labels fail to deter betting

Since November 2020, all gambling and chance game advertising must include a warning message about the risks of gambling. However, the study notes that an aggressive, bright yellow disclaimer, while required, has no real deterrent effect on betting practices. The "repetitiveness of the text" and its "routine format" lead to "no longer paying attention" to it, with some considering it a way for gambling operators and digital platforms to absolve themselves of responsibility for excessive gambling behaviors.

OFDT research focuses on youth gambling

This study is part of the project Problematic Sports Betting Among Young People: Trajectories, Incentives, Motivations, conducted by the OFDT. Earlier in October, the OFDT had warned about a 7.6% increase in the number of people who placed money on online games in 2025 compared to 2024.