How the Fifa World Cup is the prime time for gambling, and young people are particularly vulnerable

There are two serious concerns. First, some individuals are introduced to gambling during the World Cup. The link to such a prestigious event normalises and glamorises football betting in a way that may be irresistible for a young sports fan. Alarmingly, Fifa was able to overcome legislation in some countries to allow open advertising of alcohol in soccer games; the same could happen with gambling which would normalise football gambling.

Second, the gambling behaviour of those who already bet on sports regularly may worsen, and they may not notice that they are spending huge amounts of time and money on betting. In some cases, people experience serious harm as a result of excessive gambling – ruining social and family relationships, losing one’s job or dropping out of studies, lying to cover up gambling activities, craving and obsessing over gambling experiences and wins (or near-wins), becoming restless when trying to cut down on gambling, betting more to achieve the old excitement or to chase lost money.