ANJ Fines Unibet €800,000 Over Self-Exclusion Breach

A major failure in Unibet’s self-exclusion system has led to a hefty €800,000 fine from French regulator ANJ.

For nearly two years, a technical malfunction allowed thousands of self-excluded players to regain access to Unibet’s gambling platform far earlier than intended.

The breach undermined responsible gambling protections, putting vulnerable players at risk and violating strict French regulations.

Now, Unibet must not only pay the fine but also publicly acknowledge the sanction on its homepage and mobile apps.

How did this happen, and what are the broader implications for gambling operators in regulated markets?

Unibet Hit with €800,000 Fine for Self-Exclusion Failures in France

Key Points:

1. Self-Exclusion System Malfunction Spanned Nearly Two Years

   • A technical error shortened self-exclusion periods, allowing players to regain access within days instead of months.
   • The issue persisted from March 2021 to December 2022, with a later update reintroducing the glitch for iOS users in early 2023.

2. Thousands of Players Potentially Affected

   • ANJ estimates that 6,754 players were impacted, while Unibet disputes the figure, claiming the actual number could be as low as 100.
   • Some affected players contacted customer service, citing concerns about responsible gambling failures.

3. ANJ Imposes Harsh Penalties, Including Mandatory Public Notice

   • In addition to the €800,000 fine, Unibet must display a notice of the sanction on its website and apps from March 17 to 31.
   • The operator has the right to appeal within two months before the French Council of State.

Unibet’s Self-Exclusion Glitch: A Major Compliance Breakdown

How the Malfunction Occurred

Under French gambling law, online operators must offer players the ability to self-exclude for periods ranging from 24 hours to 12 months. This allows individuals struggling with gambling addiction to take a controlled break from betting.

However, due to a flaw in Unibet’s system, self-exclusion requests were misinterpreted, reducing intended blocks by a factor of 30.

For example, a player requesting a 12-month exclusion was only blocked for 12 days.

This massive oversight remained undetected for almost 22 months, raising serious concerns about Unibet’s compliance protocols.

The issue first surfaced in March 2021, affecting both Unibet’s website and iOS app. While it was eventually corrected in December 2022, a subsequent update in December 2022 inadvertently reintroduced the glitch for iOS users, persisting until February 2023.

ANJ’s Investigation and Dispute Over Impacted Players

Following an investigation, ANJ determined that 6,754 players were affected, unable to enforce their intended self-exclusion periods.

Unibet’s parent company, SPS Betting, disputed the regulator’s findings, arguing that the actual number of affected accounts should be between 4,035 and 4,888.

The company also claimed that only 157 players reached out to customer support within 30 days, with a maximum of 100 suffering any actual harm.

Despite Unibet’s objections, ANJ upheld its findings and imposed strict penalties.

Unibet Ordered to Publish Sanction Notice

Given the seriousness of the compliance failure, ANJ did not stop at financial penalties.

Unibet must publicly acknowledge its failure by publishing a notice of the sanction on:

• The homepage of Unibet.fr
• The Unibet mobile app

This notice must remain visible from March 17 to March 31, 2025, and will include a direct link to ANJ’s official statement.

Regulatory Ramifications: A Warning for Operators

Strict Oversight in France’s Gambling Market

ANJ has consistently tightened regulations on gambling operators, emphasizing consumer protection and responsible gaming.

In recent months, the regulator has:

• Warned multiple operators over advertising violations
• Introduced stricter responsible gambling requirements
• Taken action against unlicensed gambling platforms

This high-profile fine against Unibet reinforces ANJ’s commitment to holding licensed operators accountable for compliance failures.

The Risk of Reputational Damage

Beyond the €800,000 fine, Unibet faces potential reputational damage from being forced to publicly display its sanction.

For gambling operators, this case serves as a stark reminder of the need for robust compliance frameworks and rigorous testing of responsible gambling features.

A Compliance Wake-Up Call for the Industry

Unibet’s self-exclusion failure has resulted in a major regulatory penalty, serving as a warning to all operators in tightly controlled gambling markets.

• A technical glitch lasted nearly two years, allowing thousands of players to circumvent their self-exclusion periods.
• ANJ imposed an €800,000 fine and mandated a public sanction notice on Unibet’s platforms.
• The case highlights the growing regulatory pressure on gambling operators to ensure compliance with responsible gaming laws.

As France continues to strengthen its oversight, gambling companies must invest in robust compliance systems to avoid regulatory scrutiny, fines, and reputational damage.