ANJ reveals new strategy to reduce problem gambling

Since its establishment on June 23, 2020, France’s Autorité Nationale des Jeux (ANJ) has embarked on a mission to modernize gambling regulation with a two-pronged approach: supportive oversight and firm enforcement. The ANJ aims not merely to regulate operators, but to shift the entire gambling ecosystem toward a more responsible and less harmful structure, particularly as it relates to problem gambling.

The initial regulatory cycle (2020–2023) laid the institutional and operational groundwork. It aligned with the objectives outlined in the 2019 ordinance and the Pacte law, offering a coherent framework that operators could adopt and regulators could enforce. The first three years brought measurable progress, but growing concerns about addiction, illicit platforms, and the involvement of vulnerable players led the ANJ to intensify its strategies moving forward.

Laying the foundation: Progress in the first regulatory cycle

During its first term, the ANJ succeeded in enforcing the compliance obligations on licensed gambling operators. It particularly focused on two fronts: the prevention of excessive gambling and the detection and mitigation of money laundering. Operators began submitting detailed action plans to ANJ, showing improved capabilities in identifying problematic behaviors among their customer base.

One clear indicator of these advancements has been the growing number of high-risk gamblers being identified by operators. This reflects not only regulatory compliance but a more mature understanding of the harms associated with excessive play. Operators now appear better integrated into a broader regulatory philosophy that prioritizes player safety over mere revenue generation.

Judicial support strengthens ANJ’s authority

A key milestone in affirming the ANJ’s regulatory authority came through two decisions from France’s Council of State. These rulings reaffirmed the regulator's powers to oversee both the composition of gaming offers and the marketing strategies employed by monopolistic entities. The decisions gave legal weight to ANJ’s mandates and offered further legitimacy to its public protection efforts, particularly in relation to excessive gambling.

Enforcement escalates: Stronger sanctions and public accountability

In 2024, the ANJ moved assertively on the enforcement side. Nine sanctions were imposed against operators for various infractions, including failures in social responsibility and compliance, with penalties reaching up to €150,000.

A landmark moment came in January 2025, when the ANJ’s sanctions commission issued a public fine of €800,000 against a licensed operator for significant breaches related to excessive gambling controls. This decision not only set a precedent for financial penalties but also marked a shift toward public accountability. By making such actions visible, the ANJ aimed to send a clear signal to all stakeholders that regulatory failures—especially those involving player harm—would not be tolerated.

The fight against illegal gambling intensifies

Parallel to its work with licensed operators, the ANJ significantly escalated efforts against the illegal gambling supply in 2024. Illegal platforms are frequently accessed by high-risk and self-excluded players, making them a direct threat to national harm-reduction strategies.

Key actions taken include:

• Blocking 1,335 gambling-related URLs,
• Launching 231 administrative procedures, and
• Activating financial flow disruptions to starve illicit operators of funding.

By targeting the financial infrastructure supporting illegal operators, the ANJ has adopted a more systemic approach. These methods aim not only to dismantle illegal supply chains but also to increase the perceived risks for entities enabling such activities.

Rising concerns: Voluntary exclusion rates soar

Despite the aforementioned progress, indicators suggest that excessive gambling remains a growing concern. The number of individuals enrolled in France’s voluntary exclusion registry increased by 20% annually, climbing from 40,000 in 2021 to over 85,000 by 2024.

This sharp rise is a double-edged sword: while it reflects growing awareness and willingness to seek help, it also underscores the enduring scale of gambling-related harm. The figures reveal that public health concerns remain central in France’s gambling discourse.

A new strategic cycle: 2024–2026

In response, the ANJ launched its second regulatory cycle in 2024, covering the period through 2026. This phase introduces a pivotal strategic objective: to significantly reduce excessive gambling across the sector within three years.

This plan marks a deliberate shift away from revenue models that rely heavily on high-risk players and frequent, intensive gambling. It encourages a transition toward sustainable practices and mandates concrete outcomes from operators—particularly a measurable reduction in the number of excessive gamblers and their economic footprint in the sector.

Symposium on gambling addiction: June 2025

To catalyze collective action, the ANJ is convening a high-profile symposium on June 27, 2025, hosted at the French Senate. The event will bring together regulators, public policy actors, healthcare professionals, industry stakeholders, researchers, and civil society representatives.

The primary agenda focuses on evaluating the 2019 legal obligation imposed on gambling operators to detect and support excessive gamblers. A comparative, multi-stakeholder lens will be used to assess best practices, implementation gaps, and areas for regulatory refinement.

Discussions will also consider:

• The role of data analytics in real-time harm detection,
• Public-private cooperation mechanisms,
• European comparisons in regulatory efficacy,
• Psychological and societal dimensions of gambling addiction, and
• Potential amendments to existing legislative frameworks.

Calls for better coordination and legal adaptation

One anticipated outcome of the symposium is improved coordination among stakeholders. ANJ President Isabelle Falque-Pierrotin emphasized the urgency of a holistic approach. In her view, gambling regulation can no longer be siloed within industry or policy confines—it requires full integration into wider public health and societal discourses.

“Gambling, though legally available, is not a product like any other,” she noted. “Its rise as a mass consumer product has been driven by digitalization and changing leisure habits. But we must now move toward outcomes—not just intentions.”

She further stressed that reducing excessive gambling must evolve into a performance obligation. Operators, she argued, should not only show that they have policies in place but also demonstrate reductions in both the number and the financial contribution of excessive gamblers to their business models.

Toward a more sustainable future for gambling in France

The ANJ’s new strategy represents a paradigm shift in French gambling regulation. While earlier efforts emphasized the building of frameworks and fostering of industry cooperation, the current cycle focuses on delivering quantifiable results.

Operators are now expected to proactively redesign user experiences that reduce harm. Marketing strategies must avoid targeting vulnerable demographics, loyalty programs must be de-risked, and games must be re-evaluated for their addictiveness.

Moreover, public institutions are being called upon to play a greater role. Education ministries, mental health services, family associations, and consumer protection bodies must contribute to a coordinated national effort.

If successful, the ANJ's vision could provide a roadmap for other countries grappling with the social costs of gambling in a digital era. France’s regulatory evolution shows that meaningful change is possible—but only if backed by enforceable policy, cross-sector cooperation, and an unambiguous prioritization of public health.

Conclusion

France’s gambling industry is entering a critical phase of regulatory transformation. With the ANJ’s second strategic cycle now underway, the focus has shifted decisively from framework-building to measurable impact. The regulator’s clear commitment to reducing excessive gambling—not just in principle, but through enforceable outcomes—reflects an evolving understanding of the social costs associated with uncontrolled gambling behavior.

By combining stricter enforcement, increased transparency, and comprehensive collaboration with stakeholders across sectors, the ANJ is laying the groundwork for a more ethical and sustainable gambling environment. The rise in voluntary exclusions, while concerning, underscores the importance of urgent, coordinated action.

The upcoming symposium at the Senate further highlights the national importance of the issue and offers an opportunity to realign the industry's goals with public health priorities. It is a reminder that gambling regulation must not be confined to legal compliance alone but must also serve broader societal responsibilities.

Ultimately, if the ANJ's 2024–2026 strategy achieves its goals, it will not only reshape the future of gambling in France but could also serve as a model for responsible gaming policy across Europe and beyond.

FAQs

What is the ANJ and what does it regulate?
The ANJ (Autorité Nationale des Jeux) is France’s national gambling authority, regulating online and land-based gambling to ensure player protection, fairness, and regulatory compliance.

What was the focus of ANJ’s first regulatory cycle?
The first cycle (2020–2023) focused on building regulatory frameworks, improving oversight, and ensuring operators implement player protection and anti-money laundering measures.

What are the key achievements in 2024?
In 2024, ANJ imposed stronger sanctions, increased monitoring of excessive gambling, and significantly escalated action against illegal gambling websites and platforms.

What was the significance of the €800,000 fine in 2025?
The fine marked the highest public sanction by the ANJ to date, signaling stricter enforcement and reinforcing the regulator’s stance on protecting players from excessive gambling harm.

How has voluntary exclusion evolved in France?
Registrations to the voluntary gambling ban list have increased by 20% annually, reaching over 85,000 in 2024, indicating a growing need for harm-prevention strategies.

What is the aim of the 2024–2026 strategy?
The new plan seeks to reduce excessive gambling through enforceable targets, urging operators to pivot away from models that rely on high-risk players for revenue.

What topics will be covered at the June 2025 symposium?
The event will address support obligations, best practices, regulatory gaps, cross-national comparisons, and strategies for enhancing cooperation and social awareness.

How does the ANJ plan to fight illegal gambling?
The ANJ is blocking websites, initiating administrative proceedings, and working with financial institutions to cut off illegal operators' revenue sources.

Why is Isabelle Falque-Pierrotin advocating for systemic reform?
She believes that tackling gambling harm requires moving beyond compliance into a results-based model, involving broad societal engagement from all sectors.

What does the ANJ expect from operators going forward?
Operators must demonstrate not only policies but also concrete reductions in excessive gambling rates and dependency on high-risk players for profitability.