Young Monaco basketballers learn about gambling addiction risks
AS Monaco Basket's youth teams attended workshops on sports betting dangers as online gambling surges in France.
Rising stars from AS Monaco Basket's youth academy have received crucial education about the dangers of sports betting addiction during specialist workshops this week.
The prevention sessions, targeting players from the U18 and U21 squads, were delivered in collaboration with Monaco's addiction care, support and prevention centre. The initiative comes as online gambling continues its explosive growth across France, with an estimated €11.5 billion wagered through digital platforms this year alone.
Young athletes face particular vulnerability to gambling addiction due to their deep understanding of sports dynamics and constant exposure to betting advertisements during matches and online content. The workshops aimed to equip Monaco's promising basketball talents with the knowledge to recognise early warning signs and make informed decisions about gambling.
The proactive approach reflects growing concern within professional sports about protecting young athletes from gambling-related harm as they begin their careers in an environment increasingly saturated with betting promotions.