ANJ and UNAF Partner to Strengthen Responsible Gambling Initiatives in France
France’s gambling regulator, L’Autorité Nationale des Jeux (ANJ), has signed an agreement with the National Union of Family Associations (UNAF) to enhance efforts in promoting responsible gambling and preventing underage gambling.
Focus on Research and Prevention Tools
The agreement, signed by ANJ president Isabelle Falque-Pierrotin and UNAF president Marie-André Blanc, outlines a series of initiatives to strengthen cooperation between the two organizations.
Key areas of focus include research, the creation of new tools for professionals working with vulnerable groups, and the development of training programs for both professionals and volunteers.
Additionally, the partnership will work towards generating materials designed to raise awareness about gambling issues, particularly targeting families and minors.
The organizations also aim to improve the tools available to help families prevent underage gambling, recognizing the importance of educating younger generations about the risks associated with gambling.
Development of Awareness Materials
In the coming months, ANJ and UNAF will collaborate on creating new materials to promote awareness about excessive gambling and the risks of underage participation.
The initiative aligns with the broader goals of both organizations to curb gambling-related harm in France.
French Sports Betting Sees Significant Growth in First Half of 2024
In addition to its responsible gambling efforts, ANJ reported a 24% year-on-year increase in licensed sports betting in the first half of 2024, with total bets reaching €5.2bn.
The Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) for the period was up 16%, totaling €871m.
Online betting also saw growth, rising by 10% to €1.3bn, with the number of active player accounts increasing by 13% to 2 million by June.
The spike in player activity was attributed in part to the Euro 2024 tournament, although the total wagers placed on the event fell short of expectations.
Underperformance in Euro 2024 Betting
While the ANJ initially forecasted €1bn in bets for Euro 2024, the final figure reached only €650m, a notable drop compared to the €900m wagered during the previous tournament in 2021.
The decline was attributed to the underperformance of the French national team and the distractions caused by the French general election.
However, the French online gaming association, AFJEL, suggested that a portion of the betting handle may have been lost to unlicensed operators, estimating that unregulated betting on Euro 2024 accounted for nearly half of the total wagers expected by licensed operators.
