Six operator action plans on problem gambling have been rejected by the French gambling regulator

Last month, L’Autorité Nationale des Jeux (ANJ) reported a marked improvement in gambling operators’ AML plans this year. However, it hasn’t been able to say the same thing about their plans to prevent problem gambling.

Six operator action plans regarding problem gambling have been rejected by the French gambling regulator, l’Autorité nationale des jeux (ANJ). The ANJ revealed that the plans submitted by the operators were “unsatisfactory”, with insufficient measures to address problem gambling.

Under French law, all operators are required to submit an action plan to the ANJ outlining the measures they will take to prevent and treat problem gambling. The ANJ is responsible for approving or rejecting these plans, and can impose sanctions on operators who do not comply with their approved plans.

The ANJ has been actively collaborating with operators to enhance their practices and prioritize the prevention of problem gambling. The regulator has urged operators to implement proactive measures, such as self-exclusion and limits on betting, and identify and assist problem gamblers.

However, six submitted plans were rejected by the French gambling regulator, stating that there was “little significant progress.” The plans evaluated were from 235 racetracks, 203 casinos, and seven gaming clubs, with five casinos and one gaming club being rejected. The regulator reiterated its comments from the previous year, emphasizing the need for operators to utilize monitoring tools, improve internal organization, staff training, and safer gambling information.

The ANJ intends to publish a practical guide to help casinos identify and support potential problem gamblers, as there were “few significant advances or innovative actions” in this area. While all the action plans submitted by the National Federation of Horse Racing were approved, the ANJ noted that they were “substantially identical” to last year’s plans and alerted racetracks to the importance of separating spaces for families and spaces for betting.

Seven companies have been fined by the French gambling regulator

Seven online sports betting operators were warned and fined by the ANJ last month for exceeding France’s mandatory player return rate (TRJ). Upon investigating the operators’ activities in 2021, it was discovered that they had violated regulations that restrict them from redistributing over 85% of a player’s stake after customer engagement. The ANJ referred the cases to its Sanctions Committee, which confirmed that the operators had indeed violated their license conditions.