France's gambling regulatory body, L'Autorité Nationale des Jeux (ANJ), has lauded "significant progress" in curbing problem gambling, as highlighted in its evaluation of operators' preventive measures. Mandated by a 2019 regulation, all gambling operators in France are required to submit annual plans aimed at mitigating "excessive" gambling, particularly among minors.
ANJ underscored the palpable advancements made by the market in curbing the onset of gambling addiction. Operators have implemented various initiatives to enhance awareness, including the introduction of notifications and dashboards. Moreover, safeguarding measures have been bolstered to better identify and support individuals grappling with gambling-related issues.
However, notwithstanding these advancements, ANJ cautioned that deficiencies persist in addressing problem gambling comprehensively. Citing a 2021 Games Observatory study, the regulator pointed out that approximately 1.4 million players in France are deemed at risk, with nearly 400 thousand classified as gambling addicts.