ANJ's 2024-26 Strategy Prioritizes Protecting Minors and Reducing Harmful Gambling

In a groundbreaking move, the French regulatory authority, l'Autorité Nationale des Jeux (ANJ), has announced its 2024-26 strategic plan, placing utmost importance on safeguarding minors and combating excessive gambling. This marks a significant shift in ANJ's approach, addressing public health concerns in France head-on.

The second pillar of ANJ's strategy centers around maintaining transparency and integrity within the gambling sector. ANJ commits to upholding the sector's integrity and promoting ethical advertising among operators and sponsors.

ANJ's third pillar focuses on enhancing the economic aspects of gambling regulation. President Isabelle Falque-Pierrotin emphasizes the need for collective efforts from gaming operators, authorities, institutions, and associations to achieve this objective. ANJ plans to monitor progress closely over the next three years, adjusting strategies based on indicators and prevalence studies.

To curb excessive gambling, ANJ intends to limit gambling advertisements, particularly targeting vulnerable groups such as minors and problem gamblers. Ethical advertising will be encouraged among operators and sponsors. This move follows ANJ's crackdown on gambling ads in 2022, prompted by the UEFA 2020 European Championship.

Under the second pillar, ANJ will take action against illegal gambling, including payment services and technology suppliers. Measures to combat money laundering and fraud will be ramped up, and specific policies will be developed for games with monetizable digital objects (JONUM). A proposed bill addressing JONUM regulation was introduced in September 2023, emphasizing the need to distinguish JONUM from traditional gambling.

ANJ's third pillar also seeks to support developments in the gaming sector, particularly those involving JONUM. The regulator aims to monitor emerging trends and ensure they comply with player protection measures.

ANJ's strategic roadmap emphasizes scientific market knowledge, stakeholder mobilization, and regulatory excellence, underlining its commitment to a safer and more responsible gambling environment in France.