L'Autorité Nationale des Jeux (ANJ), the gambling regulator in France, has noted “significant progress” in reducing problem gambling in its review of operators’ action plans.
Since a 2019 ordinance, all operators in France must submit an annual plan to prevent “excessive” and underage gambling. The ANJ then reviews those action plans. The aim is to increase dialogue between operators and the regulator on the issue.
The ANJ observed that the market has made palpable progress on preventing excessive gambling. Actions have been taken to raise awareness, such as messages to players and dashboards.
Protection standards for identification and support for problem gamblers has increased. The number of at-risk players identified and then supported has risen. The majority of operators implementing improved support measures and excluding players who have been identified as most vulnerable to commercial rewards has also gone up.
ANJ: Problem gambling still too high in France
However, despite the “substantial progress”, the ANJ also stated that problem gambling is still too prevalent. The ANJ cited a 2021 Games Observatory study which estimated 1.4 million players to be at risk in France, with almost 400,000 at a pathological level.
The French regulator highlighted its 2024-2026 strategic plan, which prioritised the reduction of excessive gambling and the protection of minors. As a result, the ANJ called upon operators to increase efforts to heighten identification of problem players and support measures.
The ANJ mandated that operators must detect and intervene as early as possible. Support measures must also be diversified to adapt them to the level of risk identified. Additionally, operators are expected to apply a risk assessment before they market offers.
The ANJ also stated that La Française des Jeux (FDJ), which holds exclusive lottery and retail betting rights in France, as well as its horse racing equivalent Pari-Mutuel Urbain (PMU), must strengthen control of points of sale to ensure compliance with the ban on sales to minors.
The ANJ reminded operators to increase vigilance on problem gambling and minors ahead of a sporting summer that includes Euro 2024 and the Olympic Games, the latter of which will be held in Paris.
On the topic of underage gambling, the ANJ noted that operators had made actions to prevent attempts by minors to circumvent the gambling ban on those aged under 18.
ANJ calls on casinos and racing companies to do more
While the ANJ found progress on responsible gambling from approved and monopoly operators, it noted stagnation in efforts across casinos, gaming clubs and racing companies coordinated by the National Horse Racing Federation (FNCH).
According to the ANJ, casinos and gaming clubs made €2.7bn (£2.31bn/$2.93bn) in turnover during 2023. 74% of casinos had a higher gross gaming revenue (GGR) in 2023 than in 2019.
The ANJ stated there has been heterogeneity in compliance levels for casinos and gaming clubs. While some establishments were showing regular progress, others have changed little since 2021.
The ANJ approved most actions plans, but rejected those of two casinos and one gaming club. To aid the situation, the ANJ sent all establishments a guide on how to improve their efforts.
Racing companies who are under the supervision of the FNCH were also criticised. Their requirements have remained the same since 2023 due to low implementation of measures relating to the “insufficient” identification and support of problem gamblers, particularly in regards to information systems at racetracks.
