Sports Betting and Its Dangers Saimon Miller, November 5, 2023February 19, 2024 Authorized Sports Betting What are the Dangers of Sports Betting? Compromising Sports Competitions Facing a Suspicious Situation: What to Do? The Risk of Addiction Facing Sports Betting Addiction: What to Do? Protection of Minors Consequences Concerning the Protection of Minors What is Sports Betting and What are the Dangers? The term “sports betting” is defined by the National Gaming Authority (ANJ) as the act of wagering a sum of money on a scoring element or a phase of play in a sports event, with the goal of winning money if that scoring element or phase of play occurs. Authorized Sports Betting To preserve the integrity of sports competitions, the law permits betting only on categories of competition and types of results defined by the ANJ, following the advice of the concerned sports federation. Indeed, it is provided that the right to consent to the organization of bets on sports competitions falls under the exploitation right provided for in Article L. 3311-1 of the Sports Code. What are the Dangers of Sports Betting? Compromising Sports Competitions According to principle 3.5 of the Europe sports ethics and deontology charter adopted by the General Assembly of the Europe National Olympic and Sports Committee (CNOSE) on May 15, 2011, “Sports institutions must contribute to the honest and united conduct of sports competitions.” What does the law say? Under Article 425-2-1 of the Penal Code, the act of directly or indirectly altering the “fair progress” of a sports event used for betting is punishable by five years’ imprisonment and a fine of $543,500), “which amount may be increased to double the proceeds from the offense.” Who are the concerned parties? Under Article L.131-16 of the Sports Code, all persons officially associated, directly or indirectly, with the organization of a sports event subject to sports betting are considered participants in the sports competition. Concrete Examples Examples include being contacted by someone wishing to bet on a match outcome in exchange for money, or a player being asked to bet on a match in a competition they’re not participating in. Facing a Suspicious Situation: What to Do? Report any suspicious situation or request to the competent authorities. Make an anonymous report via the “national platform” against the manipulation of sports competitions. The Risk of Addiction Addiction to sports betting is a serious condition recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a disease, with significant health consequences. Facing Sports Betting Addiction: What to Do? Talk to a trusted person and/or organization to discuss the addiction and its repercussions. Protection of Minors Individuals under the age of 18 are not allowed to engage in sports betting as it is prohibited by law. Consequences Concerning the Protection of Minors It is the responsibility of all sports structures and online game operators to educate minors about the legal prohibition of gambling and betting, and the risks posed by such practices. Understanding Sports Betting: A Table Overview Aspect Description Legal Framework Concerned Parties Definition Wagering money on sports event outcomes Regulated by ANJ, Sports Code Bettors, athletes, organizers Dangers Competition manipulation, addiction, underage betting Penal Code, WHO guidelines, Internal Security Code Competitors, minors, general public Prevention Reporting mechanisms, educational initiatives Macolin Convention, national platforms Federations, authorities, operators Uncategorized
What is Sports Betting and What are the Dangers? The term “sports betting” is defined by the National Gaming Authority (ANJ) as the act of wagering a sum of money on a scoring element or a phase of play in a sports event, with the goal of winning money if that scoring element or phase of play occurs. Authorized Sports Betting To preserve the integrity of sports competitions, the law permits betting only on categories of competition and types of results defined by the ANJ, following the advice of the concerned sports federation. Indeed, it is provided that the right to consent to the organization of bets on sports competitions falls under the exploitation right provided for in Article L. 3311-1 of the Sports Code. What are the Dangers of Sports Betting? Compromising Sports Competitions According to principle 3.5 of the Europe sports ethics and deontology charter adopted by the General Assembly of the Europe National Olympic and Sports Committee (CNOSE) on May 15, 2011, “Sports institutions must contribute to the honest and united conduct of sports competitions.” What does the law say? Under Article 425-2-1 of the Penal Code, the act of directly or indirectly altering the “fair progress” of a sports event used for betting is punishable by five years’ imprisonment and a fine of $543,500), “which amount may be increased to double the proceeds from the offense.” Who are the concerned parties? Under Article L.131-16 of the Sports Code, all persons officially associated, directly or indirectly, with the organization of a sports event subject to sports betting are considered participants in the sports competition. Concrete Examples Examples include being contacted by someone wishing to bet on a match outcome in exchange for money, or a player being asked to bet on a match in a competition they’re not participating in. Facing a Suspicious Situation: What to Do? Report any suspicious situation or request to the competent authorities. Make an anonymous report via the “national platform” against the manipulation of sports competitions. The Risk of Addiction Addiction to sports betting is a serious condition recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a disease, with significant health consequences. Facing Sports Betting Addiction: What to Do? Talk to a trusted person and/or organization to discuss the addiction and its repercussions. Protection of Minors Individuals under the age of 18 are not allowed to engage in sports betting as it is prohibited by law. Consequences Concerning the Protection of Minors It is the responsibility of all sports structures and online game operators to educate minors about the legal prohibition of gambling and betting, and the risks posed by such practices. Understanding Sports Betting: A Table Overview Aspect Description Legal Framework Concerned Parties Definition Wagering money on sports event outcomes Regulated by ANJ, Sports Code Bettors, athletes, organizers Dangers Competition manipulation, addiction, underage betting Penal Code, WHO guidelines, Internal Security Code Competitors, minors, general public Prevention Reporting mechanisms, educational initiatives Macolin Convention, national platforms Federations, authorities, operators