Thai Experts Warn of Euro 2024 Fueling Football Betting Addiction

Experts in Thailand warn that gambling addiction may rise in the run-up to Euro 2024, especially among football fans.

This concern stems from football betting’s increasing ubiquity in Thailand. It is the fourth most popular gambling activity in Thailand, with an estimated 3.8 million participants, according to a Chulalongkorn University survey from 2021.

An alarming pattern was noted by Kongkan Takhiranyit, assistant director of the Thai Health Promotion Foundation: “Thai gamblers lost an estimated 181.68 billion baht ($5 billion) on soccer betting in 2021, a 300,000 increase from 2019.”

Takhiranyit believes that as Euro 2024 draws nearer, more Thais—especially young ones—will fall victim to internet gambling addiction.

In order to raise public knowledge of the risks associated with football betting during the tournament, the Foundation is collaborating with a number of organizations to start awareness campaigns in Chiang Mai, Si Sa Ket, Chonburi, Suphanburi, and Trang.

It’s not only about monetary losses. The World Health Organization recognizes gambling addiction as a disease, as stressed by Thanakorn Komkrit, Secretary of the Stop Gambling Foundation.

Komkrit compared it to a shopping addiction, saying, “It affects brain function and creates an insatiable desire for reward.” He brought up the fact that even well-known athletes like Wayne Rooney, Michael Owen, Paul Merson, Peter Shilton, and Paul Merson had battled gambling addiction.

Komkrit claims that Shilton and Merson claimed the excitement of playing sports had been supplanted by their gambling habits.

Given its impact on youth and the sports industry, Komkrit underlined the significance of tackling gambling addiction in Thailand.

He pushed for innovative, non-gambling means for people to enjoy sports. He gave international examples, such the British government’s prohibition on sportsmen sharing betting information.

Shilton, who conquered his addiction to gambling, said something significant in his closing remarks to Komkrit: “Recovery is giving up one thing for everything; addiction is giving up everything for one thing.” Experts hope that supporters will remember that the true joy of sports is not in winning money but rather in enjoying the beautiful game itself as Thailand gets ready for Euro 2024.

Original Story by: Asian Gaming Brief