ANJ names Pauline Hot as new director general

L’Autorité Nationale des Jeux (ANJ), France’s national gambling authority, has appointed Pauline Hot as its new director general, marking a key leadership transition within the French gambling sector. She succeeds Rémi Lataste, who steps down after five years of service. This change in leadership represents a pivotal moment for the regulator, which plays a central role in supervising France’s legal gambling framework, safeguarding players, and upholding the integrity of the market.

This development comes at a time when the European gambling landscape continues to evolve in the face of increasing digitization, consumer protection concerns, and the ever-present risk of illicit financial flows within the industry. The appointment of Hot is widely seen as a continuation of the ANJ’s commitment to strong regulatory oversight and public service.

Transition in leadership at ANJ

Pauline Hot’s promotion to the top administrative role follows her tenure as deputy director general, a position she assumed in January of this year. This relatively recent appointment to the deputy role suggests a planned succession and internal continuity within the organization. By elevating Hot, ANJ not only emphasizes institutional knowledge but also ensures a degree of operational consistency as it moves forward with its regulatory mandate.

Rémi Lataste, whose departure was confirmed via his personal LinkedIn account last week, served as director general since 2019. Over the course of his five-year leadership, he helped establish the ANJ as a pivotal player in Europe’s gambling regulatory framework following the 2020 restructuring of gambling regulation in France, which consolidated several existing bodies into a single, independent authority.

In his public farewell, Lataste praised the dedication and competence of the ANJ’s internal team, stating:
“Nothing would have been possible without the ANJ’s extraordinary team — remarkable men and women from diverse backgrounds – dedicated, demanding and creative. A tightly knit team that proudly upholds its mission and the values of public service. Pride and gratitude.”

His message reflects a legacy of team-oriented governance and an appreciation for the challenges and achievements experienced during his tenure.

Pauline Hot’s background and institutional role

While relatively less known to the public than her predecessor, Pauline Hot brings with her considerable experience in administrative and regulatory affairs. Though the ANJ has not publicly detailed her professional trajectory prior to joining the authority, her rapid rise to deputy director general and now director general suggests a strong command of regulatory policy, public administration, and strategic oversight.

In her new role, Hot will lead the execution of the ANJ’s central mandates:

• Protecting minors and vulnerable populations from the risks associated with gambling
• Preventing problem gambling and fostering responsible gaming behavior
• Combating money laundering and ensuring compliance with national and European anti-financial crime regulations
• Overseeing gambling operators to ensure transparency, legality, and public trust

As the gambling sector in France becomes increasingly digitalized, Hot is expected to play a critical role in adapting regulatory tools to new challenges, such as online advertising, algorithmic targeting, and crypto-fueled betting platforms.

Regulatory challenges facing the ANJ

The ANJ operates in a highly complex and dynamic regulatory environment, influenced not only by domestic legislation but also by the broader European Union policy landscape. Under Hot’s leadership, the authority will need to manage several key challenges:

Growth in online gambling
The COVID-19 pandemic significantly accelerated the shift from retail to online gambling, a trend that shows no signs of slowing down. France has seen a noticeable increase in online wagering, particularly among younger demographics. While this shift presents new revenue streams for licensed operators, it also increases the risks of addictive behaviors, digital fraud, and lack of oversight of offshore platforms.

Player protection and responsible gaming

Player protection remains one of ANJ’s core pillars. In recent years, the regulator has launched several initiatives to strengthen consumer protections, such as:

• Stricter advertising rules to prevent predatory targeting
• Enhancing self-exclusion tools for problem gamblers
• Mandating risk assessment protocols for operators

Hot is likely to continue and expand these efforts, especially in light of mounting concerns about the normalization of gambling in sports and digital entertainment.

Anti-money laundering compliance

Like many EU regulators, the ANJ is under pressure to detect and prevent money laundering within the gambling sector. The cross-border nature of gambling, particularly online, poses significant enforcement difficulties. Hot’s leadership will be critical in strengthening compliance with the EU’s 6th Anti-Money Laundering Directive, which has expanded reporting requirements for gambling service providers.

Coordination with other EU and global regulators

Given the global nature of gambling, particularly in the digital era, France's regulator must collaborate with other regulatory bodies in the EU and beyond. The ANJ participates in several international forums aimed at harmonizing regulatory standards and sharing intelligence on illegal gambling operations. Hot’s experience within the ANJ is expected to facilitate ongoing cooperation and policy alignment with partner jurisdictions.

Institutional stability and political independence

One of the defining features of the ANJ is its legal status as an independent administrative authority (autorité administrative indépendante), meaning it operates autonomously from direct governmental control while remaining accountable to the public and national institutions. The appointment of Hot from within the organization helps reinforce this institutional continuity and avoid political disruptions that can accompany leadership changes.

Her internal promotion is also expected to signal a strong commitment to the long-term regulatory vision set forth by the ANJ’s board and its president, Isabelle Falque-Pierrotin, who has been instrumental in steering the organization through its post-2020 restructuring phase.

A wider context: gambling reform in France

Hot’s appointment also coincides with broader regulatory reforms underway in France and the EU. Domestically, there have been calls to revisit the taxation structure of gambling operators, clarify licensing frameworks for emerging formats (such as esports betting and fantasy sports), and increase funding for prevention and treatment of gambling-related harm.

At the same time, there is heightened scrutiny from civil society groups regarding the social costs of gambling, particularly among youth and economically vulnerable groups. Balancing these concerns with industry growth and consumer freedom will require delicate and legally sound policy execution.

Conclusion

Pauline Hot’s elevation to the role of director general of ANJ marks a moment of both continuity and renewed focus for France’s gambling regulator. Her leadership comes at a critical juncture, where regulatory bodies are increasingly called upon to address the societal impacts of gambling, enhance cross-border oversight, and ensure the sector’s alignment with public interest values.

The departure of Rémi Lataste, marked by a respectful and collegial tone, suggests a smooth transition and sustained institutional coherence. As the ANJ moves forward under Hot’s guidance, all eyes will be on how she shapes regulatory policy in response to a rapidly changing gambling ecosystem, both in France and across the European Union.

FAQs

Who is the new director general of the French gambling regulator?
Pauline Hot has been appointed as the new director general of L’Autorité Nationale des Jeux (ANJ), replacing Rémi Lataste.

What is the role of the ANJ in France?
The ANJ is France’s national gambling regulator responsible for licensing, player protection, anti-money laundering enforcement, and oversight of gambling operators.

When did Pauline Hot join the ANJ?
She became the deputy director general of ANJ in January 2025 before being promoted to director general later that year.

Why did Rémi Lataste step down from the ANJ?
Rémi Lataste stepped down after five years in office; while no formal reason was given, he announced his departure on LinkedIn, citing pride in the team and their work.

What are the key priorities of the ANJ under new leadership?
Priorities include protecting minors, combating excessive gambling, improving anti-money laundering compliance, and regulating online gambling.

Is Pauline Hot experienced in gambling regulation?
Although not widely known to the public, Hot served as deputy director general and has significant administrative experience within the ANJ.

What legal framework governs the ANJ?
The ANJ is an independent administrative authority created under French law and operates with autonomy from direct government control.

How is online gambling regulated in France?
Online gambling is allowed under strict regulation by the ANJ, which licenses operators and enforces consumer protection rules.

What impact will this leadership change have on the gambling sector?
The appointment of Hot is expected to maintain continuity while strengthening the authority’s focus on emerging challenges in digital gambling.

Does the ANJ collaborate with international regulators?
Yes, the ANJ cooperates with EU and global regulatory bodies to address cross-border issues such as illegal gambling and financial crime.