ANJ Targets Excessive Gambling Reduction by 2026

France’s National Gambling Authority (ANJ) reviewed the action plans of gambling operators aimed at preventing excessive gambling and underage play, urging the industry to intensify efforts to reduce the number of problem gamblers by 2026, a target deemed critical for the sector’s future.

Scale of Problem Gambling in France

The French gambling market faces significant challenges with excessive and underage gambling. According to the French Observatory of Drugs and Addictive Behaviors (OFDT) in 2024, approximately 1.17 million people are classified as problem gamblers, including 360,000 at an excessive level. Despite legal prohibitions, underage gambling persists, with the 2021 EnCLASS study revealing that three-quarters of ninth-grade students had gambled in the past year. Additionally, the ENJEU-Mineurs study by SEDAP found that 34.8% of surveyed minors were active gamblers in 2021. In 2019, problem gamblers accounted for 38.3% of the industry’s Gross Gaming Revenue (PBJ), with 20.7% linked to excessive players.

Between January and March 2025, the ANJ assessed the prevention plans submitted by all gambling operators—two exclusive rights holders (FDJ and PMU), 16 licensed online operators, 203 casinos, and 235 racetracks. While acknowledging industry progress since the 2019 regulatory reform, the ANJ emphasized that reducing excessive gambling remains a top priority in its 2024-2026 strategic plan. Operators were instructed to enhance efforts, particularly in identifying and supporting at-risk players, to meet the 2026 target.

Exclusive Rights Holders Under Scrutiny

The FDJ and PMU, which control nearly two-thirds of the French gambling market, had their plans approved with conditions. The ANJ called for stricter enforcement of the ban on sales to minors through rigorous point-of-sale checks and sanctions. Additionally, both operators were directed to bolster excessive gambling prevention by piloting identified gambling in retail outlets and training staff in 2025.

Licensed online operators have made strides in prevention, introducing tools like personalized gambling dashboards and feedback messages to raise player awareness. Detection systems have improved, increasing the number of identified excessive gamblers, with most operators now excluding such players from promotional offers. To protect minors, a standardized ANJ-provided logo is widely adopted, and some operators have implemented measures to block underage access. However, the ANJ noted that problem gambling remains too prevalent online and urged operators to identify more at-risk players and introduce stricter limits on high-risk games like rapid poker tournaments and live betting.

Casinos’ Mixed Compliance Record

The ANJ’s review of casino plans highlighted uneven progress. While most of the 203 casinos improved compliance—focusing on staff training to identify and assist excessive gamblers—some lag behind 2021 standards. All but one casino’s plan was approved, often with specific directives. A Verian study commissioned by the ANJ underscored casinos’ role in prevention, noting players’ limited awareness of support options. To address this, the ANJ launched an e-learning program in November 2024, already completed by over 760 casino staff.

The National Federation of Horse Racing (FNCH), overseeing 235 racetracks, reported advances in player education and volunteer training. However, the ANJ found efforts to identify and support excessive gamblers insufficient. It also issued guidance to better separate family and betting areas and ensure children’s activities do not indirectly promote gambling, reinforcing the need to protect minors.