French Gaming Authority Calls for Stricter Regulations Amid Rising Concerns
The head of France’s gaming authority, the Autorité Nationale des Jeux (ANJ), is advocating for tighter controls on gambling, citing worries about excessive gambling and underage participation. Isabelle Falque-Pierrotin, president of the ANJ, expressed her concerns during a hearing before the Senate Finance Committee, highlighting the normalization of gambling as a common consumer product in the five years since the ANJ’s establishment.
Rising Revenue and Problem Gambling
Falque-Pierrotin noted the continuous innovation in gambling offerings, particularly from the video game sector, contributing to a yearly revenue increase. The industry generated €14 billion in 2024, a 5% rise. She pointed to the recent Roland-Garros tournament, which generated €364 million in bets, surpassing even the Olympics. Alarmingly, excessive gambling accounts for over 20% of the sector’s revenue, especially in sports betting.
While acknowledging the efforts of operators in identifying 30,000 problem gamblers (up from 8,000 a year ago), Falque-Pierrotin emphasized “a number of worrying signs.” The voluntary gambling ban registry now contains over 80,000 individuals, primarily young people, compared to 35,000 five years ago.
Proposed Measures: ID Cards and Advertising Restrictions
Combating Underage Gambling
A recent study revealed that one-third of 15-17 year olds gamble, starting as young as 13 or 14. To address this, the ANJ is considering implementing a “player card” or a “majority QR code” at points of sale to prevent underage gambling.
Tighter Control Over Monopolies and Advertising
The ANJ has increased pressure on state-owned monopolies like FDJ and PMU, pushing for the implementation of identified gaming. Falque-Pierrotin believes legislative changes are needed to strengthen regulations, particularly to reduce the intense advertising pressure. She suggested banning gambling advertisements five minutes before and after matches, as well as during the games themselves.
Sponsorship and Protection for Young Adults
The ANJ president also advocates for limiting or even prohibiting sponsorship deals, specifically the “naming” of sporting events or venues by sports betting operators. Furthermore, she believes that individuals aged 18-24 require special protection, such as capping bets or losses.
“The risk of excessive gambling and underage gambling is not under control.” – Isabelle Falque-Pierrotin, President of ANJ
- Limit sponsoring, or even prohibit it.
- Protect 18-24 year olds with bet and loss limits.
- Implement a player card or QR code to verify age.
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