ANJ Approves Most Casino Plans to Curb Excessive Gambling

Are you aware that French regulators are tightening the noose on excessive and underage gambling? The ANJ, France’s top gambling authority, has just reviewed dozens of action plans. It found one casino’s plan lacking. You want to see safer betting environments, better protections for minors, and fewer problem gamblers. Keep reading to discover how these stringent rules will transform every sector from racetracks to online platforms.

France’s Gambling Authority Pushes Operators to Slash Excessive Play, One Casino Under Scrutiny

3 Key Points

1. ANJ approved all casino plans except one and demanded more robust measures from every sector.
2. Operators must spot risky behaviors faster and curb harmful patterns through tangible interventions.
3. France’s gambling regulators press for effective ID checks and child-safe environments at all venues.

The Autorité Nationale des Jeux (ANJ) has completed its latest review of action plans to combat excessive and underage gambling across France. Every casino had to submit a strategy for tackling problem gambling, and the ANJ approved all but one. It did not name the casino that failed to meet expectations.

This review is part of the ANJ’s wider mission to eliminate problem and underage gambling. The regulator cites estimates suggesting 1.2 million problem gamblers in France, with 360,000 classified as excessive. Another study claims that 34.8% of minors polled in 2021 had gambled, and a quarter of nine-year-olds had played at least once that year.

The ANJ sees these statistics as alarming. It wants to reduce the number of players in crisis. According to its 2024-2026 strategic plan, the authority aims to cut excessive gambling drastically. This focus places extra pressure on operators. Two exclusive licensees, FDJ and PMU, must clamp down on sales to minors. They also must better identify potential problem players and intervene.

Meanwhile, 16 approved online operators face fresh demands. The ANJ expects them to detect gamblers at risk of harmful behavior sooner. These companies must show “tangible and measurable” results in controlling excessive play. They also need to enforce strict gaming limits for quick poker tournaments or live betting options. The goal is to prevent extended binges that push casual players into problematic territory.

All 203 French casinos submitted plans. According to the ANJ, this sector shows healthy improvement. To maintain momentum, the authority launched an e-learning system last November. This platform gives practical examples of how staff can detect dangerous behavior and intervene. It emphasizes straightforward solutions like real-time monitoring, immediate communication, and targeted self-exclusion offers.

Interestingly, problem gamblers contributed around 38.3% of France’s gross gaming revenue in 2019, with 20.7% from the excessive category. These statistics highlight the potentially damaging link between operator profits and at-risk bettors. The ANJ wants to break that dependency by encouraging proactive harm-reduction strategies. Through direct engagement, staff training, and advanced analytics, it believes casinos and online platforms can succeed without relying on vulnerable players.

The 235 racing societies also came under scrutiny. The ANJ welcomed their “significant” efforts. They introduced training modules for volunteers and arranged more on-site controls with the National Federation of Horse Racing. Because horse racing often attracts families, the ANJ stressed the need to keep betting activities separate. Racecourses must ensure children’s entertainment does not indirectly expose them to gambling.

Each industry sector faces unique directives. Casinos, racetracks, online operators, and exclusive license holders all carry distinct responsibilities. Yet, the common objective is crystal clear: dramatically lower the number of problem and underage gamblers in France. The ANJ has warned that it will enforce these new standards through regular checks. Companies that fail to make observable improvements risk penalties.

In parallel, the ANJ published its 2024 annual gambling activity report. The report outlines how many players sought help with conflict mediation. This measure illustrates the real-world impact of regulation on daily betting experiences. It also reveals areas where the industry needs further action. The ANJ maintains that consumer well-being should remain a top priority.

While most operators have gained approval, one unnamed casino still stands outside the fold. The specifics of its plan remain undisclosed. However, the ANJ’s decision signals zero tolerance for half-hearted approaches. As the industry evolves, safeguarding consumers has become central to these regulatory efforts.

With the approval of nearly every casino’s plan, the ANJ moves closer to its ambition of safer gambling in France. Stricter oversight, earlier detection, and reduced underage exposure define the updated directives. As the sector adapts, the ANJ has made one fact clear: protecting vulnerable players remains the bedrock of French gambling regulation.