France’s leading gaming operator La Française des Jeux (FDJ) announced today a new initiative for its sports betting brand ParionsSport looking to raise money and support the country’s online harassment helpline.
Donating to Online Harassment Helpline
#SmashTheHaters, an initiative in collaboration with the French Tennis Federation (FTF), is aimed at supporting the FTF’s fight against bullying of tennis players on the internet.
“ParionsSport, which offers a playful and responsible betting offer and promotes compliance with the rules, wishes to support the French Tennis Federation in its fight against cyberbullying,” ParionsSports stated.
To raise awareness of cyberbullying in tennis, ParionsSports released a 30-second video on its official Twitter account.
“Betting also means respecting the players,” stated ParionsSport alongside the video to remind the public that all players from all sports need to be respected for their constant efforts on and off the field.
To support the FTF, ParionsSport will donate to the national online harassment helpline 3018 €5 ($5.26) for each retweet of the video aimed at raising public awareness of the issue.
“For one week, for each retweet of the video, ParionsSport will donate €5 for the benefit of 3018, the free, anonymous and confidential national number against digital violence,” stated the sports betting operator.
“This number is the entry point for reporting any situation of harassment and ensuring comprehensive and rapid support for the victim,” the statement concluded.
Gradually Building Presence in Sports
The sports betting arm of FDJ has been constantly strengthening its presence in sports by entering into partnerships with prominent sports clubs and organizations.
In March, ParionsSport signed three-year partnership with French Ligue 1 giants Paris Saint-Germain to become the soccer club’s principal betting partner and replace the team’s current betting partner, Kindred Group’s Unibet. Scheduled to commence from the 2022-23 season in Ligue 1, the partnership will be costing the sports betting brand €5 million ($5.26 million) per season.
In February, ParionsSport entered into another high-profile sports partnership with France’s rugby federation, FFR, to become the official sponsor of the federation’s Men’s and Women’s XV teams through 2024 and increase its brand presence across the stadia and FFR’s official media.