This summer, during the Euro, Copa America and Olympic Games, play responsibly!

Euros, Copa America, Olympics: we play in moderation!

From today, 14 June, and the kick-off of Euro 2024 this evening between Germany and Scotland, we're in for a crazy summer with a magnificent programme: the European Championship from 14 June to 14 July, the Copa America 2024 from 21 June to 15 July, Wimbledon from 1 to 14 July, and then the Olympic Games from 26 July to 11 August.

And after all that, we'll already be back to the start of some of the most popular leagues and competitions, most notably the English Premier League and the Champions League play-offs. 

While this period is sure to be full of plenty of excitement, as well as plenty of sports betting for others, the Sportytrader team would like to remind you of the basic positive betting habits to adopt in order to avoid falling into potentially harmful behaviour towards sports betting, which could lead to addiction.

• As a reminder, sports betting should never be your main source of income, and should remain a recreational hobby that you participate in simply for fun.

How can you spot dangerous betting?

The main symptoms of a sports betting addiction and dangerous gambling are :

• Frequent urge to bet on a daily basis
• Betting without money limits
• Exceeding the set budget
• Increasing isolation
• Overwhelming euphoria when winning bets
• Betting immediately after a losing bet
• Increasing bet sizing in order to chase losses
• Jumping at boosted odds
• Feeling empty or lacking without a bet in hand
• Lying about losses, bets and number of bets made

Here are just a few examples of the types of behavior that may bring you closer to a state of addiction. If you think you are experiencing one or more of the symptoms listed here, you are not alone and you can get help. Full details below. You should also be aware that there are many sites which offer help, such as Gambleaware.co.uk which allows you to assess your gambling habits. This should give you better insight into your relationship with gambling.

Advice and best practice

There's no shame in having a sports betting addiction. While a few things, such as reducing the amount of time you spend on sports betting sites and setting yourself betting limits, can be effective, you shouldn't tell yourself that it's just a fad and that you'll get out of it in time and on your own.

The best thing to do is to react as soon as you realise it, by taking the best possible action with these good practices:

• Talk to the people around you that you trust
• Contact professionals

These steps complement each other, as it allows you to first confide in someone that you trust before contacting an addiction professional, who will then be able to give you the best possible advice.

Help and associations available

Right now, you've got plenty of support! With specialist websites, doctors, psychologists and addiction specialists to choose from, you've got the choice. Don't hesitate to consult sites such as the National Health Service, Gamcare.org.uk and Gamblingtherapy.org to name just a few.

If you prefer to contact help by phone, the UK offers a National Gambling Helpline that is referenced on a number of different support websites. You can get into contact with the National Gambling Helpline through the number 0808 8020 133 (operated by GamCare). They also offer their services through WhatsApp as well as a live chat option.

If you have the slightest doubt about your potential addiction, don't hesitate to take the first step and get an overall assessment of your situation.

Betting banned for minors!

As a reminder, sports betting is strictly forbidden for minors! If you are under 18, you cannot register with a bookmaker and place bets, or even bet in person.

If you still manage to create your account, there is a high likelihood that the bookmaker will realise the error and block your account, so you won't even be able to withdraw your potential winnings. A word of advice: to avoid wasting time and money, if you want to bet, and always in moderation, wait until you come of age!

Finally, we would also like to say a few words to parents. To avoid tempting your children (whether minors or not), you should avoid discussing the subject of sports betting in front of them as much as possible, and even less so betting in their presence.

If your child asks you to register so that he or she can play (with your contact details and bank account), you should obviously refuse and explain the risks and dangers involved.

Bet in moderation, enjoy your sports betting, and don't make it your main source of income! You can find all the information you need on our page against sports betting addiction.