French Regulator Approves FDJ’s 2026 Plan
France’s gambling authority has approved FDJ’s 2026 product roadmap, but warned the operator to curb marketing claims and limit games linked to problem gambling.
ANJ Approves FDJ’s 2026 Program
L’Autorité Nationale des Jeux (ANJ) has signed off on La Française des Jeux’s (FDJ) 2026 betting and gaming programme, reaffirming the operator’s exclusive rights in the French market. However, the approval is conditional, with the regulator imposing several restrictions designed to reduce exposure to harmful gambling practices.
The move follows the ANJ’s latest annual report, which identified a notable increase in problem gambling for the first time since 2020. The number of self-excluded players rose from 40,000 in 2021 to 85,000 in 2024, prompting heightened scrutiny of how operators promote and structure their offerings.
ANJ Demands Tighter Controls on High-Risk Games and Restrictive Advertising by FDJ
The regulator has asked FDJ to refrain from using advertising language that implies a strong likelihood of winning. Phrases such as “more than x chance(s) in x of winning” or “best chance of winning €X” are now considered unacceptable. While FDJ has argued that such messaging supports the visibility of its lottery and sports betting products at retail locations, the ANJ views it as potentially misleading.
Beyond marketing, the regulator has raised concerns about specific online products, especially those considered more addictive. Successive online draws, digital scratch cards, and “Web Exclusive” games have all been flagged for revision or removal. The ANJ has instructed FDJ to either modify these games or withdraw them altogether, citing their increased risk profile for vulnerable players.
The watchdog is maintaining its ban on offering FDJ’s Amigo draw game online, as well as its freeze on successive draw formats more broadly. A longstanding restriction on €3 scratch games—both online and in physical form—remains in place, and the number of €5 games has now been capped at two.
More generally, the ANJ wants to see a reduction in the number of online-exclusive games in the €2 to €5 price range, which make up a significant portion of FDJ’s instant win portfolio.
Scratch Cards Identified as High-Risk Format
Recent studies by the ANJ further underline concerns around scratch cards. With €10.7 billion staked on scratch games in 2024 by an estimated 20 million players, they remain the second most popular gambling product in France after traditional lotteries.
The regulator’s research concludes that while scratch cards are widely viewed as entertaining, their risk increases when players participate in both retail and online formats, particularly at higher price points. Players deemed high-risk were also more responsive to advertising and to enhanced gameplay mechanics, indicating that further intervention may be needed in this segment.