With the FIFA World Cup officially underway, households across the country are looking forward to Summer match days, high-stakes drama and whether or not England will make it into the final. Odds are, when the excitement of the World Cup ramps up, so does advertising promoting gambling and the pressure to keep betting.
Foul play
During a single match, you will see approximately 3 to 6 adverts related to gambling. According to a study by the University of Sheffield, betting frequency increased 24% during matches due to gambling adverts throughout the 2022 FIFA World Cup. While there’s nothing wrong with the odd bet if you’re feeling lucky, 1 in 5 people experience harm related to gambling.
Beating the odds
Gambling can harm more than just your bank balance. It can have a negative impact on relationships, as well as your mental and physical wellbeing. And while gambling companies bank on profiting from people’s losses, here are some helpful tips from GambleAware to help you gamble responsibly:
- Kick off with a spending limit: decide how much you’re prepared to bet before game day and stick to it. It’s a great way to limit your losses and stay in financial control.
- Don’t get caught offside: avoid chasing losses. Trying to win back losses often leads to bigger losses.
- Call timeout on betting: set a time limit and take a break from betting if it starts to feel like a chore.
- Check-in on yourself and your team: if gambling is impacting your mental health or the wellbeing of the people around you, seek help – there’s a wide range of support available.
Gambling support
- Gamstop: free, easy solution to block yourself from online gambling
- Betknowmore: peer support services for people experience gambling harm
- Mind: free mental health support charity
- CALM: suicide prevention charity offering mental health support
You can also access additional support through our alcohol reduction programme, which can play an important role in supporting overall wellbeing.
Habits can often overlap – for example, drinking during matches can sometimes increase the likelihood of impulsive decisions, including gambling. Taking steps to better understand and manage alcohol consumption can help you stay more in control, make clearer decisions and protect both your wellbeing and finances.
Whether you’re looking to cut back, take a break, or simply build healthier habits, the programme offers practical support and a safe, judgement-free space to make positive changes.
