WHEEL OF FORTUNE For the first time, more than one in two respondents (59%) have gambled within the year
At the top of the most practiced, online lottery games remain the most popular with respondents. (ILLUSTRATION PHOTO) — FRANK PERRY
The French do not hide their game… Lotteries, sports betting, e-sports games, their interest in gambling on the Internet has increased. in 2021, according to a study published this Wednesday by the French Observatory of Drugs and Addictive Trends (OFDT). “The restrictive health situation could have led some of the respondents to overinvesting in digital activities, including gambling,” justifies the OFDT in a press release.
The practice of games has recorded; an increase with more than one in two respondents (59%) having hired a wager for the first time in the last twelve months. At the top of the list of the most popular, online lottery games remain the most popular with those surveyed, with nearly seven out of ten players having entered into a game. a bet during the year.
Games of money and men
This is followed by sports betting (50 %), e-sport games (33 %) and poker (32 %). Casino games and horse betting occupy the last places. In terms of gambling and games of chance, only the lottery and sports betting are regulated by a legal offer in France. Access to e-sports games, in particular, is on illegal sites.
The average profile of players remains predominantly male (71%), as already indicated. the latest study of 2017. Women are, however, in the majority in the profile of lottery players while men tend to turn to sports betting or poker. The average age is around 34 for new players compared to 37 for more regular players.
“Problem gambling”
The consequences to medium and long term on behavior or health; players are still “poorly known”, according to the study. But players with recent practice seem to find it more difficult to play. regulate their behavior than players with more habitual practice. 39% of new players would be more likely to risk of having an excessive practice of gambling and games of chance against 24% for the others.
Assessment of “problematic play” is based on the Canadian Problem Gambling Index (CPGI) which analyzes different situations observed in the practices of gamblers such as the willingness to play. to play again to regain the lost sums, the impacts noticed on health; or the need to to borrow money to continue to to play. Survey conducted on a panel of 1,983 people who hired at least one posting on the Internet during the year 2021.