Increased addictive potential through sports bets during the World Cup

Experts warn: Increased addictiveness in betting on the World Cup

According to experts, around half a million people in Germany are affected by gambling addiction. The addiction is considered a mental disorder. During the Football World Cup, the addictive potential is significantly increased, warns now the Federal Center for Health Education (BZgA).

Half a million Germans affected by gambling addiction

Experts repeatedly warn against the great addictiveness of gambling. According to an earlier study on pathological gambling and epidemiology (PAGE), around 500,000 people in Germany are affected by gambling addiction. Tens of thousands of people are at risk. The Federal Center for Health Education (BZgA) now points to the Football World Cup on an increased addictive potential through sports betting.

The Federal Center for Health Education (BZgA) points to the increased addictive potential of sports betting on the occasion of the World Cup. (Image: drubig-photo / fotolia.com)

Sports betting is especially attractive for young men

As stated in a communication, new results of the representative survey of the BZgA "Gambling Behavior and Gambling Addiction in Germany 2017" show that around 1.4 million people in Germany have bet on a sporting event within the last twelve months.

Sports betting is especially attractive for young men. According to the information, 5.7 percent of 16- to 25-year-olds have experienced sports betting during the period.

About 20 percent of them spend money on sporting events at least every week.

Risk of financial ruin

Many football fans think they know who will be FIFA World Cup 2018. The appeal of betting on it is so great.

The BZgA points out that sports betting can be associated with a high risk of addiction.

Particularly critical are so-called live bets - especially the event bet, in which money can be given to certain events during a game.

"Players must know that online sports betting in Germany have been banned so far," said the Federal Government Drugs Commissioner, Marlene Mortler.

"That means no legal certainty - no one can guarantee that you will receive the profit that you have won. In addition, sports betting holds a high addiction potential, can drive people into financial ruin and bring families apart, "said the expert.

Exit depends on chance

"In the BZgA survey, seven percent of respondents said they had ever taken part in sports betting in their lives. This corresponds to around four million people. Heidrun Thaiss, Head of the BZgA.

"The hope for the big win seduces that played in an uncontrolled manner and the risks are underestimated. Who bets, puts his money on the team, which in his opinion has the best chances of winning, "says dr. Thaiss.

"But sports betting is gambling and its outcome depends on chance. Even experiences through active participation in sports or years of passion for football do not help to profit. Most problematic is that sports betting is offered online around the clock, making it easy and constantly available. "

The BZgA carries out representative surveys on gambling behavior and gambling addiction in Germany every two years. For the current study, 11,500 people between the ages of 16 and 70 were interviewed nationwide in the period from April to July 2017.

According to the results of the survey, currently 326,000 people in this country are considered problematic and 180,000 as pathological gamers. The consequences of gambling addiction can be serious. They range from family problems to complete over-indebtedness. (Ad)