Starting from the ordinance of 2 October 2019 which reforms the regulation of gambling and aims to strengthen the level of player protection, French gaming operators must submit annually to the Gaming Authority (ANJ) their action plan to prevent excessive gambling and underage gambling. This obligation provides an opportunity for a dialogue with the regulator for the ANJ to formulate requirements.
Excessive gambling and underage gambling are in fact the most significant risks plaguing the gambling market in France.
- In 2020, the Observatoire des Jeux estimated that 1,4 million gamblers were at risk, including nearly 400.000 with a pathological state.
- Despite the legal prohibition, the practice of underage gambling is a reality. According to OFDT's latest 2021 “EnCLASS” study, 1 in 4 third graders reported having already played a game of chance in the past year. The ENJEU-Mineurs study conducted by SEDAP reveals that, in 2021, more than a third of minor youth interviewed were gamblers (34,8%).
- In 2019, the share of gross gaming revenues attributable to problem gamblers was 38,3%, of which 20,7% was for problem gamblers.
Action plans of operators holding licenses and monopolies
At the end of this 4th exercise, the general observation is that the regulatory management strategy for objectives assigned to operators related to a compliance support policy is bearing fruit and is giving these results:
- Significant progress for the entire market from the point of view of preventing excessive gambling: awareness actions (“Gambling Dashboard”, regulatory feedback messages);
- An increase in standards of protection in terms of identifying and supporting excessive gamblers online, which has resulted in an increase in the reported number of gamblers identified and supported thanks to changes in detection systems. Most operators have put in place more personalized support measures. Most exclude players identified as most at risk from commercial rewards;
- Regarding the protection of minors, the entire market features a standardized logo made available by the ANJ. Some online operators have intervened to prevent attempts to circumvent the gambling ban applied to minors.
Although substantial progress has been made by gambling operators in the last three years, problem gambling still occupies too important a place in the 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 need to do more to identify excessive numbers of gamblers in line with the size of their player pool and prevalence studies. They will also have to demonstrate operational and measurable results that can be verified by control operations. To this end, the following actions must be implemented:
- Identify and intervene as soon as possible and diversify support measures by adapting them more to the level of risk identified (in particular for young people aged between 18 and 24 or VIP customers);
- Apply a risk assessment tool before marketing gambling offers and take measures and following the best practices to limit these risks (adequate prevention measures).
For FDJ and PMU for their exclusive business, this will include:
- Strengthen the control system in points of sale to ensure compliance with the ban on sales to minors (number of points of sale checked, applicable sanction regime 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, due to a 2024 context characterized by the holding of two major sporting events (the Euro 2024 football tournament and the Paris Olympic Games) and the risk of intensification of gambling practices resulting gambling, they will have to exercise greater vigilance with regard to the prevention of underage gambling and gaming behavior, particularly vulnerable people (in particular young people aged between 18 and 24).
Action plans for casinos and gaming clubs
In 2023 the sector recorded growth of 8% compared to 2022, with a turnover of 2,7 billion euros. However, these results cover heterogeneous situations, with 74% of casinos returning to a higher GGR level than in 2019. The activity level of the 7 Parisian gaming clubs increased by 11% in 2023, with a GGR 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 review of the assessments and action plans was analyzed in light of the priority set by the ANJ in 2023, namely strengthening identification and support of excessive gamblers, in particular through staff training.
The ANJ noted that compliance levels were even more heterogeneous compared to 2023. While some groups or institutions are making steady progress with the implementation of significant advances, others have changed little 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 club were rejected.
In order to help casinos implement their obligation to identify and support excessive gamblers, the ANJ has sent everyone a practical guide with examples of concrete solutions and tools for implementing this obligation, which they can adapt to their specific situation.
The action plans of the horse racing clubs coordinated by the FNCH (National Horse Racing Federation)
The National Horse Racing Federation supervises 10 Regional Federations and brings together 235 racing companies (racecourses) in France, metropolitan France and abroad. The share of participations generated by racing companies was 0,8% in 2023, equal to 6,9 million euros.
The requirements for 2024 are essentially identical to those of the previous year, in view of their low implementation rate and mainly concern the identification and support of excessive gamblers, which is very inadequate. These efforts are mainly focused on the racetrack's information system.
