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2022 Football World Cup and sports betting: the ANJ presents the results of the competition
As expected, the Football World Cup was a highlight in the 2022 sports betting calendar, with online stakes breaking records. This economic result confirms the real craze for sports betting, which is, for many gamblers, an inseparable practice from football. As far as advertising is concerned, the content has become more normalized, and the commitments made by the operators to reduce advertising pressure have generally been respected. Nevertheless, the massive recourse to programme sponsorship and influence are points of vigilance for the regulator and answers will have to be provided in the near future.
Economic results: a major World Cup, but in the context of a global slowdown in the growth of the online sports betting market in 2022
The Football World Cup has recorded several records for online sports betting:
– €597 million in stakes and €70 million in GGPs (Gross Gaming Revenue), a record performance for a competition of this scale. Stakes were 56% higher than for the 2018 World Cup and 37% higher than for the Euro, which was held in 2021 but featured fewer matches. The results recorded in FDJ sales outlets will be communicated in mid-February. Nevertheless, it can be estimated that the total amount of bets recorded online and in sales outlets could exceed €900 million.
– With €51 million in stakes placed, the France / Argentina final is the match that holds the record for bets, dethroning the 2018 France / Croatia final (€38million).
However, this result should be seen in a more global context of slowing down the growth of online sports betting in 2022. In fact, in 2022, the online sports betting segment saw a 2.5% growth in GGR, compared to 44% in 2021 and 7% in 2020, marked by Covid. Stakes on the 2022 World Cup represent 7.2% of total stakes placed in 2022, compared with 10% in 2018. Two explanations for this drop in the weight of stakes associated with the World Cup can be put forward: on the one hand, the number of players who opened an account during the World Cup was greater in 2018 than in 2022. Their weight in the total number of player accounts opened has therefore decreased. On the other hand, it seems that players who were already active before the World Cup have spread their bets more throughout the year and are diversifying them to other football competitions and sports, such as basketball.
Profile of players and betting practices: more women and 18-24 year olds among new bettors
– 177,000 new gamblers created an account during the competition. This is less than in 2018 (232,000 accounts opened);
– A more feminine pool of players: twice as many women aged 18-24 were recruited than during a normal period of activity, i.e. outside a major sporting and popular event;
– 54 million bets were placed, more than double the number in 2018;
– While players bet more than in 2018, the amount of unit bets was €11, which is slightly lower than the amount of unit bets seen in 2018;
– The average stake placed during the entire competition remained stable compared to that observed during the 2018 World Cup, at €234;
– 2.6 million player accounts placed a bet during the competition (players have an average of 1.2 accounts). This represents 2.2 million unique players;
– 70% of these accounts were negative, 23% were positive and 6% were balanced; only 1% won more than 10 times their stake.
– The 18-24 year olds represent 53% of new players, which is higher than in a normal period of activity.
It is still too early to assess the effects of competition on loss of control and addiction. An ANJ/OFDT (Observatoire Français des Drogues et des Tendances Addictives) study project will make it possible to observe this phenomenon over the medium and long term on new and regular players.
Preventive campaigns
For the first time, several prevention campaigns were conducted by public institutions before and during a major sporting event. These three campaigns, launched by Santé publique France, the Seine-Saint-Denis General Council and the ANJ, raised awareness among the general public of the risks of problem gambling and excessive gambling, using different approaches. The ANJ campaign “T’as vu, t’as perdu” (You saw, you lost) was aimed at sports bettors by mobilising their media and their codes.
46% of French people said they had seen prevention campaigns during the World Cup and more than 7 out of 10 gamblers. 82% of them consider that these campaigns are useful and 47% think that there are not enough of them.
Assessment of the regulatory mechanism put in place for operators’ commercial communications: an action plan that has made it possible to change the tone and to contain advertising pressure
After noticing an unprecedented advertising pressure in favour of sports betting during the Euro football tournament in 2021, the ANJ launched an ambitious action plan to “de-intensify” the advertising pressure on all communication media (television, radio, billboards and digital) and to reinforce the protection of minors and at-risk audiences, particularly on digital levers.
This two-part plan included guidelines for advertising content and financial incentives on the one hand, and recommendations for reducing advertising pressure across all media channels and moderating bonus offers on the other, in order to better protect vulnerable audiences.
In order to demonstrate their willingness to apply the recommendations of the ANJ, all the actors of the ecosystem – advertising agencies, audiovisual professionals and gambling operators – signed in November 2022 four commitment charters to moderate advertising pressure and promote responsible commercial communications in television, radio, billboards and digital. The World Cup was the first major event to test the effectiveness of the commitments made.
- As regards the content of the advertisements, a change in tone was observed. There is less emphasis on external signs of wealth or false beliefs about the possibility of changing social status through sports betting and less blatant targeting of young people from working class neighbourhoods. According to a study carried out by Toluna – Harris Interactive for the ANJ, sports betting advertisements are considered as “slightly less disturbing and aggressive” than during Euro 2021;
- The commitments made in TV, radio and billboards were generally respected and made it possible to contain the pressure on traditional media;
- The pressure on the digital world seems to be slightly less important than during the Euro, but this point needs to be confirmed on the basis of the figures expected in February;
- The transparency of financial incentives (welcome and loyalty bonuses) has improved. In addition, the €100 limit on the welcome bonus recommended by the ANJ was generally applied by sports betting operators.
Lastly, the ANJ carried out an audit of the four main sports betting operators in order to ensure compliance with the commitments they have made. The checks are in progress.
A need to go further
There are still points of vigilance insofar as the ANJ has noted that some operators are using circumvention strategies with massive recourse to sponsorship of sports programmes and influence, which are particularly invasive and popular with young people. During the World Cup, around 100 influencers were mobilised to promote sports betting, mainly on Instagram, YouTube and Twitter. 80% of the influencers’ audience is under 34 years old and 50% under 25 years old.
The working group on sponsorship initiated by the ANJ in July 2022 will deliver its conclusions and proposals in March; they will focus in particular on jersey partnerships, competition naming, but also programme sponsorship on radio, television or streaming sites.
The ANJ is also actively participating in the various initiatives of the public authorities aiming to better regulate the use of influence.
Finally, although advertising pressure was contained during the World Cup, it remains at a high level, particularly on television, billboards and social networks. The study carried out by Toluna – Harris Interactive indicates that 49% of people who saw sports betting advertisements during the World Cup believe that “there are too many” (compared to 54% during the Euro). 88% of those who saw the ads said they saw them on TV and 54% on social networks, with the proportion rising quite logically to 79% among the under-35 years old.
The review by the ANJ Board in February 2023 of the promotional strategies of gambling operators aims to assess the regulation of advertising in 2022 and to provide new answers to the marketing ambitions of the operators, in particular concerning their important presence on social networks which are very popular with young people and excessive gamblers, the massive use of influence and sponsoring
For Isabelle Falque-Pierrotin, Chairwoman of the ANJ: “The regulatory mechanism set up by the ANJ in the run-up to the World Cup made it possible, with the tools at its disposal, to contain advertising pressure, and the operators generally played along. Nevertheless, this pressure remains strong and concerns the regulator, in a context where the latest OFDT studies show an increase in excessive gambling. The ANJ is therefore considering additional measures that it will propose to the public authorities in the coming months to strengthen the supervision of gambling advertising.”
BETesporte
Sportradar Launches AI-Driven “Bettor Sense” to Support Responsible Gambling

Brazilian operator BETesporte is first to adopt AI-powered solution
Sportradar Group AG has launched Bettor Sense, a personalized, proactive, and data-driven approach to user protection. BETesporte will be the first operator to implement the solution, reinforcing its commitment to safer and more responsible practices in Brazil’s newly regulated betting market.
Bettor Sense is an AI-powered solution that detects early signs of gambling-related risk and enables personalized interventions to protect end users. Developed with proprietary technology and grounded in behavioral research, Bettor Sense allows operators to act quickly and efficiently, promoting responsible gambling and strengthening brand reputation. Fully compliant with regulatory standards, Bettor Sense provides a critical tool for operators aiming to meet rising expectations around end user protection.
In addition to implementing Bettor Sense, BETesporte has also joined Sportradar’s Integrity Exchange, a global information-sharing network that enables betting operators to report suspicious betting activity directly to Sportradar’s Integrity Services division. This collaboration strengthens the industry’s collective ability to fight match-fixing and betting-related corruption through enhanced transparency and cooperation.
Tom Mace – SVP, Integrity & Regulatory Services, Product & Strategy at Sportradar, said: “This partnership with BETesporte marks an important milestone for Sportradar’s ongoing mission to help shape secure and sustainable sports betting and iGaming industries. BETesporte is taking a proactive step in embracing responsible gaming as a core part of its business. We are confident this will be the first of many partnerships, as the market increasingly recognizes the value of using data and technology to protect end users and strengthen compliance.”
Marcos Pereira – CEO of BETesporte said: “BETesporte is fully committed to transparency and security across all its operations. The partnership with Sportradar, through the integration of Bettor Sense and the Integrity Exchange, reinforces our dedication to fostering a responsible and ethical betting environment in line with regulatory standards. Sportradar’s advanced technology enables us to anticipate and prevent risky behavior, ensuring our bettors have the best possible experience with complete safety. We will continue working tirelessly to protect the integrity of sport and the trust of our users, which remains our top priority.”
The post Sportradar Launches AI-Driven “Bettor Sense” to Support Responsible Gambling appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
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Make-A-Wish International Expands Presence in Gaming to Enable Future Wishes

Raptor PR, the specialist B2B communications agency for games, media, and tech brands, has been appointed by Make-A-Wish® International to lead strategic communications for its games industry fundraising initiatives. The global nonprofit, known for granting life-changing wishes to children with critical illnesses, is partnering with Raptor PR to amplify its presence across the games sector and unlock new opportunities for engagement, awareness, and impact.
As part of this new partnership, Raptor PR will deploy a strategic communications campaign to support Make-A-Wish International’s growing charitable gaming program, with a focus on elevating brand awareness for its games industry activities, amplifying wish stories, and forging partnerships for the nonprofit across the global games industry.
Raptor PR is partnering with Make-A-Wish International on a pro bono basis, providing strategic consultancy and go-to-market services to elevate global brand visibility. The campaign will focus on high-impact thought leadership, authoritative media commentary, speaker engagement, and news announcements designed to drive awareness, advocacy, and support.
April Stallings, Charitable Gaming and Creators Community Manager at Make-A-Wish International, commented: “Many of our wish children use gaming as a lifeline to stay connected during their illness. We want the games industry to become more aware of how they can help grant wishes and why we need them – and that requires the kind of expertise we know Raptor PR can provide. Raptor PR brings deep expertise in gaming and strategic communications making them a natural partner to help us achieve our global mission. Team Raptor’s deep network across the games industry will be vital in opening doors, sparking partnerships, and scaling our impact. Together, we’re not just telling stories, we’re mobilising the games industry to become a more intentional force for good, enabling more children around the world to experience the life-changing power of a wish, when they need it most.”
Rana Rahman, Founder and CEO at Raptor PR, added: “When I met April Stallings from Make-A-Wish at Gamescom last year, I was deeply moved by the real-world impact the charity delivers. That moment inspired me to get involved with Raptor PR, and now, through our strategic communications support, we’re helping Make-A-Wish scale its message and reach across the global games industry. Our goal is to spark a broader movement, encouraging the games industry to embrace its potential as a force for good and give back in meaningful, sustained ways.”
In 2024, the Make-A-Wish International network granted more than 16,000 wishes for children living with critical illnesses. Both April Stallings and Rana Rahman will be attending this year’s gamescom conference in Cologne from the 18-22nd of August 2025.
The post Make-A-Wish International Expands Presence in Gaming to Enable Future Wishes appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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ZEAL partners with Greentube – “Book of Ra” Now Available on LOTTO24 and Tipp24

ZEAL and Greentube, the digital gaming and entertainment division of Novomatic AG, have joined forces in a new partnership. As part of the collaboration, selected Greentube online games will be gradually integrated into the game portfolio of ZEAL brands LOTTO24 and Tipp24. The partnership officially launched in June 2025.
A key highlight: The internationally acclaimed “Book of Ra” series is now available to customers via ZEAL’s B2C platforms. The slot game franchise is one of the most iconic in online gaming, boasting a loyal global fan base.
This strategic alliance enables ZEAL to expand its digital gaming offering with top-tier titles, while Greentube benefits from ZEAL’s strong market presence and broad customer reach in Germany.
“With the popular titles from Greentube, we’re expanding our portfolio with high-quality games our customers already know and love,” says Alex Green, Vice President Games at ZEAL. “Bringing the ‘Book of Ra’ series to our platforms has been a long-term goal, and we’re proud to have made it happen. We see strong potential in this partnership.”
Julia Schagerl, Regional Manager at Greentube adds: “ZEAL is a strong partner with a loyal customer base. Our games stand for quality, security and entertainment – and this partnership helps us bring them to an even wider audience. It’s a key step in our growth strategy.”
The post ZEAL partners with Greentube – “Book of Ra” Now Available on LOTTO24 and Tipp24 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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