The French Regulatory Authority Implements Ban on the Use of Athletes in Gambling Advertisements

The Autorité Nationale des Jeux (ANJ), the French gambling regulator, has recently released updated guidelines regarding gambling advertising. These new regulations introduce a ban on the involvement of active athletes and referees in gambling campaigns and partnerships with betting companies.

The aim of these guidelines is to address concerns regarding the potential influence of sports personalities in gambling promotions and to minimize the normalization of excessive gambling behaviors. By prohibiting the use of active athletes and referees in gambling advertisements, the ANJ aims to create a clear distinction between sports and gambling, safeguarding the integrity of both industries.

These updated rules reflect the ANJ’s commitment to promoting responsible gambling practices and protecting vulnerable individuals, including athletes and referees themselves. By limiting their association with gambling advertisements, the ANJ aims to reduce the risk of potential conflicts of interest and maintain the integrity of sports.

The publication of these guidelines signifies the ANJ’s proactive approach to regulating the gambling industry and ensuring the well-being of both consumers and sports professionals. The ANJ’s efforts to establish clear boundaries and restrictions on gambling advertising involving active athletes and referees reflect its commitment to fostering a safe and responsible gambling environment in France.

In an effort to protect minors and promote responsible gambling practices, the French gambling regulator, the Autorité Nationale des Jeux (ANJ), has issued a set of guidelines aimed at regulating various aspects of gambling advertising and partnerships. These guidelines include several important provisions.

Firstly, minors must be excluded from any commercial activities associated with partnerships involving gambling operators. The ANJ aims to prevent young individuals from being exposed to promotional materials that may encourage gambling behavior.

Secondly, active athletes will be prohibited from making predictions about competition outcomes and actively promoting betting odds for matches in their respective sports. This measure is intended to maintain the integrity of sports and prevent the blurring of lines between healthy competition and gambling.

To enhance the visibility of responsible gambling messages, billboards and commercial animations will be required to include warning messages. This will serve as a reminder of the importance of responsible gambling practices and potential risks associated with excessive gambling.

The ANJ also recommends that French sports clubs remove gambling logos from child-size ‘under-18’ shirts and limit or remove “bet redirect links” and “betting content” from club websites. These actions aim to create a safer environment for young fans by minimizing their exposure to gambling-related materials.

The ANJ emphasizes that the purpose of these guidelines is to protect young minds from the allure of gambling and prevent the exploitation of sports heroes for promotional purposes. The regulator recognizes that presenting sports personalities in gambling contexts can lead to confusion and potentially contribute to excessive or pathological gambling behaviors.

While the ANJ’s guidelines are not legally binding, the regulator will review them periodically, with the first review scheduled for the first quarter of 2024. If clubs and operators fail to adhere to these guidelines, the ANJ may propose legislative and regulatory changes. This approach aligns with the impending bans on gambling advertisements set to be introduced in the Netherlands and Belgium.

By implementing these guidelines, the ANJ aims to ensure that the evolving sports and gambling landscape does not compromise the welfare of young and vulnerable fans. The regulator emphasizes the importance of collective efforts from sports organizations, clubs, and athletes to uphold these guidelines and foster a safe environment for all individuals involved.

ANJ Reports Record Gaming Revenue (GGR) in 2022

The French gambling regulator, the ANJ, has announced that the gaming revenue (GGR) generated by its licensed operators in 2022 has reached an all-time high of €12.9 billion. Notably, the majority of this revenue, around two-thirds, was attributed to the dominant monopolies in the market—Française des Jeux (FDJ) and Pari-Mutuel Urbain (PMU), which operate the lottery and horse racing betting respectively.

Simultaneously, Philippe Latombe from the Democratic Movement Party has presented a bill in the National Assembly seeking to regulate online casinos in France. Known as Bill 1248, the proposed legislation suggests implementing a five-year moratorium during which online casino services would only be provided by existing national operators.

According to Article 2 of the bill, this timeframe would conclude on January 1, 2030, after which the market would be opened to international operators. The rationale behind this approach is to safeguard the interests of current operators and establish a stable foundation for the market before introducing full competition.

The introduction of this bill reflects the ongoing efforts to shape and regulate the online casino sector in France, ensuring a controlled transition towards increased competition while protecting the stability and viability of existing operators.