Before the World Cup in Qatar, the rules on sports betting were extended to the platforms

The rules for sports betting will now be the same for everyone. With two weeks to go before the FIFA World Cup in Qatar, Arcom (ex-CSA) extended the rules governing audiovisual advertising for sports betting and other games of chance to streaming and playback platforms, according to a deliberation published on Sunday in Official diary.

Protection of minors, fight against addictions… Dated October 19, the text updates a deliberation from 2013 to take into account the action plan presented in February by the National Gaming Authority (ANJ, ex-Arjel). It is also “intended to apply to on-demand audiovisual media services,” it is written. The provisions relating to these platforms “will come into force after” a notification procedure with the European Commission.

protect minors

Specifically, the conditions for the dissemination of communications (advertising messages, sponsorships, product placements) related to games of chance and betting are maintained. These advertisements are especially prohibited on television, radio and platforms aimed at minors. In channels and antennas for the general public, thirty minutes before and after the broadcast of programs aimed at the youngest are prohibited.

As for platforms “not specifically aimed at minors but containing a space dedicated to them, the prohibition […] applies to the entirety of this space.

The publication of the text, as the FIFA World Cup in Qatar (from November 20 to December 18) approaches, is part of the responses to “the intensification of advertising communication in favor of sports betting operators “, he noted “especially during major sports competitions.” According to Arcom.

advertising hype

In February, the ANJ expressed concern about the impact of hype on minors, after surveying 5,000 15-17 year olds, who said they were “overwhelmed” by sponsored ads and content from most gaming operators. online, citing in particular Winamax, la Française des jeux and Betclic. According to this survey, commissioned by the ANJ from the Sedap association (Society for Mutual Aid and Psychological Action), more than a third of young people between the ages of 15 and 17 play the game.

In case of deviations in advertising practices, Arcom “reserves the possibility of imposing precise rules that regulate the volume and concentration of these commercial communications in a subsequent deliberation”, he recalls.