France: Fédération Addiction calls for a ban on sports betting sponsorships

The French addiction prevention association, Fédération Addiction, has raised concerns about the increasing risks associated with sports betting. They are calling for a ban on betting operators sponsoring sports teams, individual athletes and events.

The association comprises 850 healthcare facilities and 500 professionals and is proposing multiple measures to better regulate the sports betting sector.

Fédération Addiction argues that sports betting has become deeply embedded in professional sport. Therefore, it urges policymakers to ban betting companies from sponsoring sports competitions, clubs and events. Furthermore, it calls on them to prohibit athletes, coaches, commentators and other sports figures from promoting operators.

The group is also calling for stronger regulatory powers for France’s gambling authority, including the ability to issue fines or revoke licences for operators that breach advertising rules or target vulnerable groups.

The time of their call coincides with the World Cup and an increase in betting activity.

Earlier this month, French deputies filed a bill also seeking tighter restrictions on sports betting advertising. The proposal was lodged at the Assemblée nationale by Loiret ecologist MP Emmanuel Duplessy and has been co-signed by around 40 deputies from several parliamentary groups.

Its measures include a ban on gambling operators naming venues and competitions held in France. It would also prevent public figures, professional athletes and celebrities from appearing in betting advertisements. 

The text would prohibit influencers from promoting operators directly or indirectly, an area that has drawn growing attention in France because of the role of social media in betting acquisition and tipster activity. 

Advertising would be limited to print, excluding youth publications and to television and radio outside periods connected to sports events or programming aimed at minors.