The Autorité Nationale des Jeux (ANJ) has launched a new awareness campaign focused on bringing people up to speed about the dangers of excessive gambling surrounding the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
With the event set to stir excitement and drive people to the bookies, the ANJ wants to ensure that people are aware that the big event could also drive ordinary sports bettors to excess.
ANJ Presents Key Numbers for Upcoming FIFA World Cup Betting Bonanza
Among those people who are set to watch the event, 51% will be placing “friendly” bets, referring to betting pools hosted by colleagues, friends, or family, and might not necessarily have a monetary aspect.
However, real-money wagering will also be in focus, with 41% of people who will follow the tournament saying that they will be placing a bet through a mobile app or through a physical sportsbook.
When breaking down the demographics, men under 35 are more likely to be gambling for real money on the outcomes of FIFA World Cup games. Another interesting trend is that more well-to-do people are also more likely to gamble – 49% compared to their peers from poorer social groups (35%).
Games involving the national team, a soccer powerhouse and one of the favorites for securing the 2026 title, are usually among the ones that sports bettors find interesting. People who have already bet on other major sports events will also be increasing their gambling spending during the FIFA World Cup, the ANJ confirmed.
Interestingly, 83% of French people say that they are aware of the risks associated with sports betting, including the development of addictive tendencies and tipping into gambling addiction.
French Bettors Have Already ‘Lost Control’
The ANJ highlighted a crucial statistic, with more than a third of respondents who already bet saying that they already feel like they have lost control (around 37%), with the number getting much worse for those under the age of 25 – 67%.
One in five French people also say they know someone close to them who has “lost control” and is spending excessively.
Once again, how much is spent on gambling this year would be based on estimates calculable from previous major events, including the 2022 World Cup, which saw as much as €900 million in bets, with present estimates putting the figure ahead at €1.2 billion.
Attaining that figure, however, would mostly require the French national team to perform better and reach further into the event, driving gambling handle.