France’s Gambling Authority Under Scrutiny Amidst Rising Addiction Concerns

As online gambling surges, accompanied by a barrage of advertisements and growing addiction risks, the French National Gambling Authority (ANJ) finds itself in a pivotal yet often overlooked role. Elsa Trochet-Macé, the ANJ’s Director of Communications, sheds light on the operations, missions, and priorities of this independent body responsible for regulating a market as lucrative as it is sensitive. From licensing and protecting minors to overseeing sports betting, combating excessive gambling, and considering the future of online casinos, this comprehensive interview explores the challenges of regulation under pressure.

What is the ANJ?

The ANJ, established in 2020, is an independent administrative authority tasked with regulating authorized gambling and betting activities. It oversees online and in-person gambling, including at racetracks, and monitors casinos’ responsible gaming policies. The ANJ ensures that licensed operators comply with their obligations.

The ANJ protects players by managing the register of voluntary gambling bans. It also combats illegal websites, money laundering, and, within its jurisdiction, sports manipulation.

The ANJ collaborates closely with its European and international counterparts.

With a staff of 80, the ANJ operates on a budget of €12 million.

Licensing Criteria for Online Sports Betting and Poker

Applicants seeking to offer online gambling and betting services (card games, sports betting, and horse race betting) must apply for a license from the ANJ for each category. The ANJ’s board decides whether to grant or deny the license, which is valid for five years and renewable.

Any legal entity or individual (partnership) established in an EU member state can apply to offer online card games, sports betting, and/or horse race betting in France.

The ANJ only licenses three categories of online gambling and betting:

• Online horse race betting, exclusively in pari-mutuel form.
• Online sports betting, in pari-mutuel or fixed-odds form.
• Online card games (poker).

Online casino games remain strictly prohibited.

The application must detail the applicant’s means and procedures for complying with obligations, particularly in combating money laundering. While supported by documentation, the initial application is primarily “declarative.”

Compliance with the application’s claims is verified after the activity’s launch through continuous transaction recording and regular checks on obligations (game offer compliance, website disclosures, excessive gambling prevention, etc.). Information system security is certified annually by external auditors.

The ANJ can revoke a license if:

• The operator no longer meets licensing conditions (e.g., change of registered office or ownership affecting financial capacity).
• The operator has not used the license for a certain period (12 months for a new license, 6 months of activity suspension for an existing license).
• The sanctions committee decides to revoke the license due to the operator’s failure to meet obligations.

Restrictions on Certain Types of Bets

Only sports betting on competitions or events expressly authorized by the ANJ, considering manipulation risks, is permitted. The same applies to game phases and result types used for these bets.

The ANJ maintains a “sports list” of authorized sports betting events.

The ANJ checks criteria such as:

• Regular organization of the sports event.
• Accessibility of rules and provisions for publicizing results.
• Event notoriety and stakes.
• Age of participants, excluding minors who are more easily manipulated.
• Objectivity of results, reflecting quantifiable performances, not chance (prohibiting bets on even or odd number of goals).

Transparency in Sports Betting Margins and Commissions

The French gambling market is heavily regulated.

Regulations govern the Return to Player (RTP) rate, with different regimes for various games. Online sports betting has a maximum RTP of 85%, while casino slot machines have a minimum RTP of 85%.

The sector is subject to specific taxation, recently revised.

Impact of Advertising Tax on Intensive Gambling

The gambling tax changes, effective July 1st, may impact the online market in 2025. The 15% tax on commercial communication spending by online sports betting operators may affect investment levels in the second half of the year.

Future of Online Casinos in France

The decision to open the online casino market rests with the legislator. The ANJ participated in initial government discussions on potentially opening online casinos, which it had advocated for.

Given the highly addictive nature of online casinos and the potential market size, a carefully considered approach is necessary. The ANJ has studied international examples of online casino openings and their economic and public health impacts to model the impact on the French market. If the government wishes to proceed, the ANJ can outline a balanced regulatory framework.

France has a unique market with over 200 land-based casinos.

Concerns About Monetizable Digital Object Games (JONUM)

During the JONUM regulation experiment, expected to begin in September 2025, the ANJ will ensure strict boundaries with gambling are maintained.

Protecting Minors from Gambling Advertising

The ANJ’s 2024/2026 strategic plan prioritizes reducing excessive gambling, its social harms, and protecting minors. The ANJ calls on all stakeholders to join in this effort.

The ANJ has clarified the content of permitted advertising messages and can request the removal of non-compliant ads.

The ANJ has proposed stricter advertising regulations, such as banning commercials before, during, and after televised sports events and limiting sponsorship. Enhanced protection measures for 18-25 year olds, such as setting betting and loss limits, could be considered.

In September 2024, the ANJ launched prevention campaigns to raise awareness of addiction risks in amateur sports, promoting responsible betting practices.

Starting in September 2025, the ANJ plans to engage amateur clubs as ambassadors to relay these awareness and prevention messages.

Tools for Identifying and Preventing Risky Gambling Behavior

Since the 2019 ordinance, gambling operators must submit annual action plans to the ANJ to prevent excessive and underage gambling. This requirement fosters regular dialogue between the regulator and operators, allowing the ANJ to issue prescriptions.

During the annual review of operators’ promotional strategies, the ANJ ensures that commercial communications do not lead to excessive gambling or appeal to minors.

The ANJ conducts public awareness campaigns to prevent excessive gambling. It has also developed Evalujeu, a tool for players to assess their gambling habits using a questionnaire based on the Canadian Problem Gambling Index (CPGI). The results provide personalized advice to maintain recreational gambling or regain control.

The website offers tools to manage gambling habits and contact information for support, whether for players or their families.

Players struggling with gambling can request a voluntary gambling ban from the ANJ, prohibiting them from:

• Entering casinos or gaming clubs.
• Accessing ANJ-licensed online gambling sites (sports betting, horse race betting, and poker).
• Accessing FDJ and PMU games with a player account.

The ban lasts for a minimum of three years, after which the person can request its removal.

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