According to a survey by the National Gaming Authority, one in five people plan to do so, as do 14% of parents for their children. However, a very large majority are aware of the danger.
Easy to buy, inexpensive, fun: the scratch games from Française des Jeux are often found at the foot of the Christmas tree. Sometimes the temptation is great to offer them to children or adolescents, a very bad idea according to the National Games Authority which carried out an investigation* on this subject.
One person in five (20%) intends to offer these games (presented in the form of Christmas bags) to minors (25% have already done so). Above all, 14% of parents even say that they will offer a scratching game to their children.
Risk of addiction
However, the law prohibits these games for under 18s. But the main problem for the ANJ is of another order. Just like the first cigarette, offering this type of game to a minor can initiate the start of an addiction.
“Studies show that the earlier gambling is started, the greater the risk of addiction. With this survey, the ANJ wishes to remind parents that gambling is not trivial, and that this activity must not be trivialized”, underlines Isabelle Falque-Pierrotin, president of the ANJ, in a press release.
“If they only remember one thing, it’s that gambling is not child’s play!”
It is in fact generally with this type of game that 15-17 year olds begin their practice, confirms the study ISSUE Minors.
Paradoxes des parents
However, adults know well that these games are double-edged. Thus, 93% of those questioned believe that children who play gambling are at risk of developing an addiction.
The survey also shows that more than half of those questioned consider it “inconceivable” to offer scratch games (or instant games) to children.
Even more paradoxical, 94% of French people consider that gambling “is a dangerous activity for children”, ahead of social networks just after drugs and alcohol. And 77% of people who have already given a scratch game to a minor are aware that these games are prohibited for them.
Survey carried out from December 5 to 9 by Toluna-Harris Interactive, among 2,073 people representative of older French people 18 years and over.
Olivier Chicheportiche Journalist BFM Business
