In the aftermath of the 2020 UEFA European Championship, the gambling market in France suffered from an excessive advertising surge, causing the Autorité Nationale des Jeux (ANJ) to implement stricter regulations on marketing. The focus of these regulations was to protect vulnerable groups and young people from the negative impact of gambling ads. ANJ took a consultative approach, seeking the opinions of both operators and the public to shape their actions. The communication between ANJ and operators plays a crucial role in how France handles its gambling market. Each year, operators are required to submit action plans addressing issues such as fraud, money laundering, terrorist financing, and safer gambling, fostering ongoing dialogue. ANJ scrutinizes these action plans and rejects those that do not meet their standards. This proactive regulatory approach encourages operators to identify and address gaps before they become problematic. Sjöden, a senior advisor at ANJ, believes that this regulatory framework leads to better compliance and fewer sanctions than in other countries. It also attracts the interest of other European operators who are curious to learn from ANJ’s early intervention strategy. Cooperation between operators and regulators is vital for maintaining a sustainable and responsible gambling market. ANJ is actively working on developing tools to track gambling harm and potentially implementing loss limits under their control. Additionally, France is contemplating the legalization of online casinos to provide a regulated and responsible gambling option for players who currently resort to offshore operators. ANJ is conducting a study on illegal gambling and consumer behavior in France as a basis for making informed decisions about the future of the online casino market. While ANJ imposes restrictions on gambling advertising, a complete ban is not their intention. They strive to strike a balance between accessibility for players and responsible marketing practices. ANJ aims to keep multiple channels of communication open to ensure the well-being of the gambling market in France.
