The French government has submitted player protection regulations to the European Commission for approval. This includes a requirement for every licensee to submit a plan of action to ensure sustainable gambling for players. The ANJ has implemented a new five-pillar strategy, which will oversee the market for the next three years.
The ANJ, the regulatory body established to oversee all gambling in France, has examined action plans from all operators in the country. This includes former monopolies La Française des Jeux (FDJ) and Pari-Mutuel Urbain (PMU). The ANJ has approved 96 plans and may make decisions on land-based casinos opening in the future due to Covid-19 restrictions. No plan has been rejected outright.
The ANJ’s main priorities are prohibiting minors from gambling, enabling self-exclusion and implementing other checks, identifying and supporting potential problem gamblers, and having a general policy to protect these groups.
Upon examining FDJ’s plan, the ANJ approved it without conditions. The regulator praised FDJ for reflecting the French government’s objectives in protecting minors and problem players. The plan includes initiatives to ban gambling by minors, innovative prevention strategies tailored to different player profiles, and an advanced identification and support system for pathological gamblers.
For PMU, the ANJ raised concerns and added further conditions. It expects the operator to make progress in preventing excessive or pathological gambling. The ANJ highlighted issues with the availability of tools and resources for problem gamblers, identification of problem gamblers, and employee training. While the ANJ approved the plan, it emphasized the need for improvement in these areas.
Betclic, the online betting market leader, was approved with conditions. The regulator noted Betclic’s strong action program to prevent minors from accessing gambling services, an identification and support system for excessive or pathological gamblers, and a proactive company policy for preventing excessive gambling. However, concerns were raised about the availability of responsible gambling tools, and Betclic was instructed to ensure accessibility.
Kindred, the operator of Unibet, received praise for its indemnification systems for problem gambling. However, the ANJ stated that communications should make it clearer that gambling by minors is prohibited.
Winamax was also reviewed, and the ANJ identified areas for improvement. This includes clear signposting of the prohibition on minors gambling, availability of responsible gambling tools, and a system for recognizing problem gamblers.
In a separate review of operators’ marketing strategies, the ANJ expressed serious concerns about the strategies of FDJ and PMU, suggesting that they may target young people.
