The FDJ has undertaken a responsible gaming campaign

A campaign signed “When under 18, Sport we live it. But to bet, forget it!”

In 2010, the French law started to regulate the fact that under 18s are not allowed to gamble. This has been a priority for the FDJ as well as the prevention of excessive play. Retailers have been trained to apply the law and have access to the large number of actions and incentives already put in place by the FDJ on this matter. During the World Cup, a new logo has been featured on every single sports betting advertisement, as well as through additional videos on the 25 500 retailers’ TVs with the message: “When under 18, Sport we live it. But to bet, forget it!”

Retailers are regularly engaged in the prevention of underage play and this will be reinforced during the entire competition through all  channels that enable us to communicate with them. In addition, our inspectors are increasing their efforts with retailers.

An online prevention movie with Bixente Lizarazu, World champion and famous TV presenter is also being promoted. During this commercial, a young person asks two regulars to validate his sports betting ticket because the retailer said he was too young to be allowed to play. One of the regulars takes the ticket and makes a ball from it and throws it to Bixente Lizarazu, an iconic world champion and TV presenter. Bixente says that he may be too young to bet, but not too young to play sport. After a few juggles, he passes the paper ball to the young person who makes a header and scores. Everyone then congratulates him and the advert finishes with “When under 18, sport we live it. But to bet, forget it!”

This video is on Youtube and on a few sites such as the Foundation for Football or e-Enfance, an association for the protection of childhood online. It will also feature on the screens of the French football cup games during the 2014/2015 season.

A support kit to say no:

Our retailers asked us for additional support in saying no to minors. After consultation, we launched asupporter kit without any FDJ branding, to be given to young people if they try to buy a ticket. This make-up card informs the young person that betting is forbidden to under 18 but the values of sport aren’t.

Evaluation of the campaign

This campaign is positioned as a test and aims at teaching FDJ what the best way to deal with underage play prevention is. The evaluation will inform us what will be done in the future.

Since 2000; the FDJ has recommended to its retailers not to sell to minors. In 2010, gambling for minors became prohibited by law. The FDJ had already launched an educational program for retailers and has since launched many additional prevention campaigns as well as 33 000 inspections per year. The FDJ tells retailers that when in doubt, they should request an ID to check the age of their player and refuse the sell if they do not see it.

More information on responsible gaming is available upon request

The movie Paper Ball – When under 18, sport we live it. But to bet, forget it! Is available here:http://goo.gl/cdl4QY