Sport betting is in constant growth, with the online sport betting market being projected to reach €46.33bn in 2024 , which would represent an annual growth rate of 7.91% [Statista]. As the market grows, cases of addiction to sport betting do too, as a global phenomenon and a public health issue affecting the general public and also sportspersons themselves. Improving the regulation of sport betting on one hand, and preventing and treating this addiction on the other, are fundamental steps to protect individuals and societies, ultimately protecting the fairness of competitions and sport integrity, which can be targeted by criminal networks.

The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE)’s Committees on Social Affairs, Health and Sustainable Development, and on Culture, Science, Education and Media held a joint hearing on Countering addiction to sport betting on 25 June 2024 in Strasbourg, with the support of the Enlarged Partial Agreement on Sport (EPAS) and the Pompidou Group. The hearing was organised to raise awareness on the issue among parliamentarians from all over Europe and beyond, encouraging them to work on it at national and international level.

Sylvie Andreau, journalist at the French newspaper Le Monde, presented the alarming statistics of the total revenue of sport betting and its exponential growth, with illegal betting representing more than half of the amount. Ioannis Simosis, former professional football player from Greece, talked about his lived experience as an addict to sport betting, his rehabilitation and his mission to speak out about this “invisible” addiction to raise awareness among policymakers and help other athletes in the same situation. Dimitrios Davakis, Greek Legal Counsel and Integrity Manager at the Hellenic Football Federation (HFF), explained how sport betting can give rise to match-fixing and how online sport betting companies target vulnerable groups including young athletes.

Jean-Yves Lourgouilloux, Chair of the Network of Magistrates / Prosecutors Responsible for Sports (MARS Network), highlighted the links between sport betting and money laundering in his experience as a French Public Prosecutor. He also presented the mandate of the MARS Network, which was set up under the authority of EPAS to strengthen international co-operation and exchange of information in the field of sport justice. Jann Schumacher, Chair of the Expert Group on Online addictions of the Pompidou Group, presented Switzerland’s regulations and emphasised the need for countries to work together and harmonise sport betting legislations and restrictions.