AFJEL urges stronger action against illegal betting in France

France’s regulated online gambling sector is facing mounting pressure from what industry representatives describe as a rapidly expanding illegal betting market. The Association Française des Jeux en Ligne (AFJEL), which represents major licensed operators including Betclic, Entain and Betsson, has issued a renewed appeal to French authorities to intensify enforcement efforts against unlicensed gambling websites.

According to AFJEL, the matter extends beyond commercial competition. The association has framed its position as one rooted in consumer protection and public health concerns, particularly regarding minors who may be exposed to gambling content and services through unregulated online platforms. The call follows recent analysis and public statements from the Autorité Nationale des Jeux, France’s national gambling regulator, which has repeatedly highlighted the risks posed by illegal operators operating outside the country’s strict licensing framework.

The regulated market as a protective framework

France maintains one of the most comprehensive regulatory systems for online gambling in Europe. Licensed operators must comply with detailed legal and technical requirements, including strict identity verification procedures, anti money laundering checks and responsible gaming obligations.

Under current regulations, any individual wishing to place a bet on a licensed platform must complete a multi step verification process. This typically includes submission of official identification documents, confirmation of a French bank account in the user’s name and proof of physical residence within France. Accounts cannot remain active without full validation and operators are required to suspend access if documentation is incomplete or inconsistent.

AFJEL argues that these requirements function as a protective barrier designed to prevent underage access and limit fraud. In its view, the system significantly reduces the probability that minors can access regulated platforms without engaging in deliberate and sophisticated identity misuse.

The association has also acknowledged that instances of underage gambling within the licensed market are often linked to what it describes as “closed door” situations. These may involve parents or older siblings sharing account credentials, thereby circumventing safeguards. While such conduct remains a breach of operator terms and potentially of legal obligations, AFJEL maintains that it does not reflect structural weaknesses in the regulated system itself.

The expansion of unlicensed platforms

While licensed operators are subject to detailed oversight, AFJEL contends that unlicensed platforms continue to expand their presence in France with limited deterrence. Industry estimates cited by the association suggest that millions of French residents have accessed illegal gambling websites in recent years, with a notable increase over a relatively short period.

Unlike licensed operators, these websites are not subject to French regulatory requirements. They may not enforce age verification with the same rigor and in some cases may allow rapid account creation with minimal documentation. AFJEL describes this as a “frictionless” entry process that removes safeguards designed to protect vulnerable users.

The association has expressed particular concern about the marketing practices employed by certain unlicensed platforms. French law imposes strict limitations on advertising by licensed gambling operators, including restrictions aimed at protecting minors and vulnerable individuals. Illegal operators, by contrast, may promote their services through social media channels, influencer partnerships and online campaigns that target younger audiences.

AFJEL has argued that such practices contribute to the normalization of gambling among younger demographics. In its view, promotional content that presents betting as a routine or risk free activity may undermine broader public health messaging regarding the potential harms associated with excessive gambling.

Protecting minors in the digital environment

The protection of minors remains central to the current debate. The Autorité Nationale des Jeux has repeatedly emphasized that underage gambling is prohibited in France and that operators must implement robust safeguards.

AFJEL has supported these objectives and has stated that licensed operators invest substantial resources in age verification systems, monitoring tools and responsible gaming features. These may include deposit limits, self exclusion mechanisms and behavioral monitoring designed to identify problematic gambling patterns.

However, the association warns that such measures are ineffective if a significant portion of online gambling activity migrates to unlicensed platforms operating beyond French jurisdiction. In that scenario, minors and vulnerable users may encounter environments without meaningful oversight, complaint mechanisms or recourse to French consumer protection authorities.

AFJEL has therefore urged the government to view the issue not solely as an economic matter but as a question of child protection and digital safety. In its position statements, the association has called for enhanced cooperation between regulators, law enforcement agencies and digital intermediaries to identify and restrict access to illegal gambling websites.

The challenge of enforcement

France has already taken steps to block access to certain unlicensed gambling domains. Courts may authorize website blocking measures and payment service providers can be instructed to restrict financial transactions linked to illegal operators. Nevertheless, AFJEL argues that enforcement efforts must be strengthened and adapted to evolving digital realities.

Illegal platforms may change domain names, use mirror sites or rely on offshore hosting arrangements to evade detection. As a result, enforcement can resemble a continuous process rather than a one time intervention. AFJEL has indicated that additional human and financial resources may be required to sustain effective oversight.

The association has also highlighted the need for international cooperation. Many unlicensed operators are based outside France and may not be directly subject to French administrative sanctions. Coordinated action at European and international levels may therefore be necessary to address cross border challenges.

In its public communications, AFJEL has expressed its willingness to collaborate with authorities and to share technical expertise where appropriate. At the same time, it has stressed that dialogue alone will not suffice without concrete enforcement measures capable of deterring illegal operators.

Public health and research considerations

Another dimension raised by AFJEL concerns how gambling related harm is studied and reported. The association has suggested that public health research often treats “gambling” as a single undifferentiated category. In its view, this approach may obscure meaningful distinctions between regulated environments with consumer safeguards and unregulated platforms without comparable protections.

AFJEL has cautioned that failing to differentiate between licensed and illegal markets could result in policy responses that disproportionately affect compliant operators while leaving the root causes of harm insufficiently addressed. It has called for more granular data collection and analysis to ensure that regulatory decisions are evidence based and proportionate.

Such arguments reflect a broader debate within many jurisdictions about channelization. Channelization refers to the extent to which consumers choose licensed platforms over illegal ones. Regulators generally aim to maintain a high channelization rate, meaning that the majority of gambling activity occurs within the regulated framework where oversight and safeguards are in place.

AFJEL maintains that a robust and attractive licensed market is essential to achieving this objective. However, it contends that competitiveness alone cannot compensate for insufficient enforcement against illegal alternatives.

The path forward for France

Looking ahead, AFJEL has called for a comprehensive strategy that combines enforcement, public awareness and regulatory clarity. This may include accelerated procedures for blocking illegal websites, stronger cooperation with technology platforms and targeted educational campaigns about the risks associated with unlicensed gambling services.

The association has not proposed dismantling existing safeguards for licensed operators. On the contrary, it has reiterated its support for strict compliance standards. Its central argument is that such standards are meaningful only if applied within a system that effectively limits the influence of operators who do not adhere to them.

French authorities have acknowledged the complexity of the issue and have signaled ongoing efforts to combat illegal gambling. The challenge lies in balancing consumer protection, market integrity and digital freedoms while responding to technological developments that allow rapid cross border service provision.

For AFJEL and its member companies, the current moment represents a critical juncture. They argue that without decisive action, the regulated market may gradually lose ground to unlicensed competitors, potentially undermining years of regulatory development aimed at protecting consumers and minors.

Conclusion

The debate over illegal betting in France illustrates the broader tension between regulation and digital globalization. AFJEL’s renewed appeal to authorities reflects a conviction that a carefully constructed regulatory framework can only function effectively if it is supported by consistent enforcement.

At its core, the issue concerns more than market share. It touches on the protection of minors, the integrity of public health policy and the credibility of regulatory institutions. Licensed operators operating under French law are subject to detailed compliance obligations and oversight. Illegal platforms, by definition, operate outside that structure.

A sustainable solution will likely require coordinated action that addresses both supply and demand. Strengthening enforcement against illegal operators, enhancing cooperation with digital intermediaries and maintaining rigorous standards for licensed companies may collectively reinforce the protective objectives of French gambling law.

In this evolving digital landscape, the resilience of the regulated market will depend not only on its internal safeguards but also on the effectiveness of measures taken against those who seek to bypass them. AFJEL’s message is that without such measures, the safeguards designed to protect minors and vulnerable consumers risk being undermined by actors who remain beyond the reach of existing rules.

FAQs

What is AFJEL?
AFJEL is the Association Française des Jeux en Ligne, a trade body representing major licensed online gambling operators in France.

Why is AFJEL concerned about illegal betting?
AFJEL believes that unlicensed platforms undermine consumer protection standards and may expose minors to gambling without adequate safeguards.

Who regulates online gambling in France?
The Autorité Nationale des Jeux is the national regulator responsible for overseeing gambling activities in France.

Are minors allowed to gamble in France?
No. Gambling is strictly prohibited for minors under French law and licensed operators must enforce age verification measures.

How do licensed operators verify users?
They require official identification documents, confirmation of a French bank account and proof of residence before activating accounts.

What risks do illegal gambling sites pose?
Illegal sites may lack age verification, responsible gaming tools and access to French consumer protection mechanisms.

Can France block illegal gambling websites?
Yes. Courts can authorize website blocking and payment restrictions, although enforcement can be complex due to cross border operations.

Does AFJEL oppose strict regulation?
No. AFJEL supports strict regulation for licensed operators but calls for stronger enforcement against unlicensed competitors.

Why is marketing by illegal operators controversial?
Some illegal platforms use social media and influencer campaigns that may reach younger audiences and normalize gambling.

What does AFJEL want from the government?
AFJEL is asking for increased enforcement resources and coordinated action to reduce the presence of illegal gambling websites.