The College of the French National Gaming Authority has examined the action plans for the prevention of excessive or pathological and underage gambling presented by all gambling operators: gambling operators online gambling and those operating with exclusive rights, 203 casinos and 7 gaming clubs, as well as those of the 235 racecourses. On this occasion, the ANJ reiterated that reducing the percentage of problem gamblers should be a priority for all operators. It also rejected the action plans of 2 casinos and a Parisian gaming hall
Starting from the ordinance of 2 October 2019 which reforms the regulation of gambling and games of chance, which aims to strengthen the level of player protection, gambling operators must submit annually to the ANJ, for approval, their action plan to prevent excessive gambling and underage gambling. This obligation provides the opportunity for regular dialogue between the regulator and operators and for prescriptions to be formulated by the ANJ.
Excessive gambling and gambling by minors represent the most significant risks for the French gambling market.
In 2020, the Gambling Observatory estimated that there were 1,4 million gamblers at risk, of which almost 400.000 were pathological.
Despite the legal prohibition, gambling by minors is a reality. According to OFDT's latest “EnCLASS” 2021 study, 1 in 4 ninth-year secondary school pupils said they had played a game of chance or money during the year. The ENJEU-Mineurs study conducted by SEDAP reveals that, in 2021, more than a third of young minors interviewed were gamblers (34,8%).
Problem gamblers accounted for 38,3% of Gross Gaming Product (GDP) in 2019, of which problem gamblers accounted for 20,7%.
Action plans for authorized operators and monopolists
At the end of this fourth exercise, the general conclusion is that the strategy of orienting regulation by objectives assigned to operators, linked to a compliance support policy, is bearing fruit and produces observable results: significant progress for the market as a whole in preventing excessive gambling: awareness actions (“Gambling Dashboard”, regulatory feedback messages); an increase in protection standards in terms of identification and support for problem gamblers online, which has led to an increase in the number of gamblers identified and supported thanks to improved detection systems. Most operators have introduced more personalized support measures. Most of them exclude the most risky players from commercial prizes; regarding child protection, the entire market displays a standardized logo provided by the ANJ. Some online operators have taken measures to prevent attempts to circumvent the ban on gaming for minors.
Despite the significant progress made by gaming operators in the last three years, problem gambling still occupies too large a share of the gaming market. For this reason, in its 2024-2026 strategic plan, the ANJ has placed the reduction of excessive gambling and the social damage it causes, as well as the protection of minors, at the center of its action.
In line with this central objective, in 2024 operators will have to go further in identifying a number of problem gamblers consistent with the size of their player pool and prevalence studies. They will also need to demonstrate operational and measurable results that can be verified by control operations. To this end, the following actions in particular must be implemented: identify and intervene as early as possible and diversify support measures by adapting them more closely to the level of risk identified (in particular for young people aged between 18 and 24 or for VIP customers ); apply a risk assessment tool before marketing gambling offers and take measures and following the best practices to limit these risks (adapted prevention measures).
For FDJ and PMU, for their exclusive activities, this will entail in particular: strengthen the point of sale control system to ensure compliance with the ban on sales to minors (number of points of sale checked, system of applicable sanctions and representativeness of the points of sale checked); propose to the ANJ, by 30 March, a robust new system to identify and support excessive or pathological gamblers in retail outlets.
Finally, the ANJ expressly reminded operators that, in consideration of the fact that two major sporting events will be held in 2024 (the Euro 2024 football tournament and the Paris Olympic Games) and the consequent risk of an increase in gambling practices gambling, they will have to exercise greater vigilance regarding the prevention of underage gambling and gaming behaviour, particularly among vulnerable people (especially those aged 18-24).
Action plans for casinos and gaming rooms
In 2023, the sector will experience growth of 8% compared to 2022, with a turnover of 2,7 billion euros. However, these results cover a wide range of situations, with 74% of casinos returning to a higher PBJ level than in 2019. The activity level of the 7 Parisian casinos increased by 11% in 2023, with a PBJ of 119 million euros in 2023. The number of entries is increasing, with 31 million entries in casinos and 738.000 in gaming clubs.
The reviews and action plans were analyzed in light of the priority set by the ANJ for 2023, namely strengthening identification and support of problem gamblers, in particular through staff training.
The ANJ noted that i compliance levels there are even more inhomogeneous compared to 2023. While some groups or facilities are making steady progress with the implementation of significant advances, others have made little progress since 2021.
Most of the action plans were approved and the ANJ reiterates the 2023 requirements. However, the action plans of 2 casinos and 1 gaming hall were rejected.
To help casinos implement their obligation to identify and support problem gamblers, the ANJ has sent all establishments a practical guide with examples of concrete solutions and tools for implementing this obligation, which you can adapt to your situation.
Action plans for racecourses coordinated by FNCH (Fédération nationale des courses hippiques)
The Fédération Nationale des Courses Hippiques oversees 10 regional federations and brings together 235 racing companies (hippodromes) in France, both on the continent and abroad. The share of bets generated by racecourses was 0,8% in 2023, equal to €6,9 million. The requirements for 2024 are more or less the same as the previous year, given the low implementation rate, and mainly concern the identification and support of excessive players, which is very insufficient. Most of the efforts are concentrated on the information system of the racetracks.
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