Adolescents federated in football exhibit a higher frequency of betting, greater intention to gamble, and more indicators of problematic gambling compared to those who practice other sports or are not federated. This is according to a study published in the scientific journal International Gambling Studies, which involved the Miguel Hernández University of Elche (UMH), along with the University of Vigo and the International University of Valencia. The research highlights the need to incorporate gambling prevention into sports clubs and football schools.
The recent 2026 FIFA World Cup has underscored the link between sports and the betting industry, breaking participation records. In this context, the study analyzed the relationship between sports practice and gambling behaviors in adolescents. The findings reveal that young people who play federated football show greater involvement in gambling activities.
The study included 728 students from Secondary Education in Galicia, aged between 12 and 17 years. Three groups were compared: non-federated adolescents, those federated in football, and those federated in other sports. "Traditionally, we have considered sports practice to be a protective factor against risk behaviors during adolescence. However, our results indicate that this relationship depends on the sports context," explains Daniel Lloret Irles, Professor of Social Psychology at the UMH.
Teenage footballers showed a greater motivation related to seeking thrills and economic and social motivations, along with a lower perception of the risks associated with gambling. Researchers link these findings to the growing presence of betting in the football world, presenting it as a natural extension of fandom.
"The problem is not football as a sports activity, but the progressive normalization of betting within football culture," notes Manuel Isorna Folgar, a professor at the University of Vigo. Concern is heightened by the expansion of sports betting, which multiplies gambling opportunities.
Although betting is prohibited for those under 18 in Spain, data from the Spanish Observatory on Drugs and Addictions indicate that 24.4% of students aged 14 to 18 have participated in gambling with money in the last year, and nearly 5% show indicators of problematic gambling. Researchers warn that adolescence is a sensitive stage for peer influence and the pursuit of excitement.
The study proposes expanding problematic gambling prevention programs to sports clubs, federations, and football schools. "Sports clubs have an extraordinary opportunity to become prevention agents," highlights Isorna. The goal is to prevent passion for football from becoming an entry point to gambling.
