French Regulator Unveils Ambitious Gambling Strategy to Tackle Challenges and Black Market

The Autorité Nationale des Jeux (ANJ), France's gambling regulator, has launched a new strategic plan for 2024-2026, with a sharp focus on mitigating the risks of excessive gambling and its associated social harm. This plan comes as a response to the expanding gambling market in France, which saw a turnover of over €13 billion in 2023, a 50% increase since the market's inception in 2011.

The ANJ's plan centers around three critical objectives: significantly reducing excessive gambling, combating illegal gambling, and enhancing the economic aspect of regulation. The regulator recognizes the urgent need to address the high prevalence of problem gambling, with approximately 1.4 million gamers at risk in 2019, and nearly 400,000 identified as pathological gamblers, contributing 21% to the market's revenue.

Key to the strategy is tackling illegal gambling, which currently accounts for 5-11% of the country's online gambling sector. The ANJ is committed to ensuring transparency and integrity within the industry, with a focus on protecting vulnerable players and promoting responsible gaming practices.

This comprehensive approach requires collaboration with stakeholders and a robust understanding of market dynamics and gaming behaviors. Isabelle Falque-Pierrotin, the ANJ president, emphasizes the importance of joint efforts among all parties to achieve the ambitious goals set for 2026. This strategy marks a pivotal moment for the French gambling market, aiming to balance market growth with social responsibility and player protection.