"Significant progress" in preventing compulsive gambling has been acknowledged by the French regulator ANJ.

"Significant progress" in preventing compulsive gambling has been acknowledged by the French regulator ANJ.

 When reviewing the action plans of operators, the French gambling authority, L'Autorité Nationale des Jeux (ANJ), found "significant progress" in lowering problem gambling.
 French polymarket
 In order to combat "excessive" and underage gaming, all French operators are required to present a plan every year as of a 2019 regulation.  Afterwards, the ANJ examines such plans of action.  The goal is to have more discussions about the issue between the regulator and operators.

 According to the ANJ, there is clear evidence that the market is doing its part to curb problem gambling.  Efforts have been made to increase consciousness, including dashboards and messages to gamers.

 The identification and support of problem gamblers is now protected to a higher standard.  It has become easier to identify and assist athletes who are at risk.  Another increase is the number of operators who have taken steps to better assist their players, such as removing those who are known to be susceptible to commercial rewards.

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 Although there has been "substantial progress," the ANJ acknowledged that compulsive gambling remains an issue.  A research conducted by the 2021 Games Observatory was referenced by the ANJ. The report concluded that 1.4 million French players were at risk, with nearly 400,000 reaching a pathological level.

 Reducing excessive gaming and protecting minors were priorities in the French regulator's 2024–2026 strategy plan.  The ANJ consequently issued a call to operators to step up their efforts to better identify problem players and implement interventions.

 Operators are required by the ANJ to intervene and detect at the earliest opportunity.  In order to tailor support measures to the determined risk level, diversification is essential.  It is also expected that operators will conduct a risk assessment prior to marketing offers.

 According to the ANJ, the French lottery and retail betting company La Française des Jeux (FDJ) and its horse racing counterpart Pari-Mutuel Urbain (PMU) need to tighten their grip on point-of-sale systems to make sure no one under the age of 18 buys anything.

 With the upcoming 2024 European Championships and the 2024 Summer Olympics, the ANJ urged operators to be extra careful with underage gamblers and problem gamblers. The Olympics will be held in Paris.

 The ANJ took note of operators' measures to prohibit underage gamblers from trying to get around the age restriction.

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 The ANJ acknowledged that approved and monopoly operators had made strides in responsible gambling, but it observed that the National Horse Racing Federation's (FNCH) coordinated efforts had stalled.

 The ANJ reports that in 2023, the total revenue for gambling establishments was €2.7 billion, or £2.31 billion or $2.93 billion.  The gross gaming revenue (GGR) of 74% of the casinos increased from 2019 to 2023.

 The ANJ found that the degree to which casinos and gambling clubs complied varied.  Not all businesses have changed much since 2021, even if others have been consistently improving.

 While the majority of action plans were authorised by the ANJ, two casinos and one gambling club had their plans rejected.  In order to help, the ANJ provided a manual to all businesses outlining how to step up their game.

 Companies involved in horse racing that are regulated by the FNCH were also criticised.  Because of the lack of action on methods to identify and assist problem gamblers, especially with reference to racecourse information systems, their needs have not changed since 2023.