More than a Just a Game: Hidden Harms of Gambling During Major Sporting Events

The World Cup is a great time to get together with your family and friends, celebrating your team’s victories and losses. While the matches can bring joy, excitement, and even friendly competition, major sporting tournaments can also lead to an increase in risk-taking behaviours such as gambling.  

Betting in sports has seen a significant rise over the last few years, due in part to the increase of online betting apps and digital platforms, increasing our access and ability to place bets with only one or two swipes. The UK Gambling Commission’s Gambling participation survey reported that 47% of adults in the UK engaged in some form of gambling, with 21% of those placing bets online.  

While gambling affects people all year round, major sporting events like the World Cup are one of the biggest drivers of online sports betting. Big sporting events, like the World Cup can act as a trigger for gambling due to frequent games, advertisements promoting betting, increased pressure, and late-night matches. In fact, according to Nationwide, 83% of 18–24-year-olds expect to gamble more frequently during major sporting events. Nationwide stated that of those who reported that they would increase their betting, 59% specifically mentioned the World Cup as ‘the biggest draw’ amongst the major sporting events, followed by the Champions League and the Royal Ascot.  

Young people are pointing to addiction and the need to pay essential bills, particularly with the rising costs of living, as some of the reasons they gamble. The ease, access, and addiction to gambling is leading to serious harms. Nationwide reports that 77% of 18–24-year-olds said gambling has had a negative impact on their life, highlighting feelings of anxiety, stress, shame, guilt and financial harms. While this is disproportionately affecting younger men, gambling can impact anyone. 

This World Cup, let’s be aware of some of these hidden harms and make sure we’re supporting one another.  

For upcoming training sessions check out The Scottish Gambling Education Hub’s Eventbrite and for support and additional resources please know you are not alone.  

Contact RCA Trust Tel: 0141 887 0880 info@rcatrust.org.uk or GamCare’s free 24/7 confidential National Gambling Helpline, on 0808 8020 133. 

Sources: 

World Cup warning: 1 in 4 young Brits gamble to pay bills as World Cup fuels betting surge 

The rise of online sports betting in the UK: what’s driving the boom?