The French National Gaming Authority recently released a review report on the preventive action plans of all licensed operators, covering the period from November 2025 to March 2026. The report notes that the French gaming industry has made measurable progress in preventing excessive gambling and underage participation, but further efforts are needed to achieve the ambitious goal of reducing problem gambling by 2027. According to estimates by the French Observatory of Drugs and Addiction in 2024, about 1.17 million people in France exhibit problem gambling behavior, with approximately 360,000 classified as excessive players. The situation of minors is particularly concerning—surveys supported by ANJ show that in 2025, 42.6% of teenagers aged 15 to 17 participated in gambling at least once in the past year, an increase of nearly 8% from 2021, despite strict laws prohibiting the sale of gambling products to minors. Frankly, this percentage is quite high in any country.
Problem players contribute nearly forty percent of revenue, online detection capabilities enhanced
ANJ also emphasizes that a significant portion of total gaming revenue comes from problem gamblers. Pre-pandemic data shows that about 38% of GGR comes from problem gamblers, with 20.7% attributed to excessive players. The regulatory body recently warned that market platforms operating around the clock often lack consumer limits or identity verification measures. In 2024, ANJ investigated Polymarket and determined that its services might constitute unauthorized gambling. The good news is that online operators' ability to detect excessive behavior has significantly improved—89,000 excessive players were identified in 2025, compared to only 31,000 in 2024. Nevertheless, ANJ requires online operators to increase identification efforts based on their user base and produce measurable results.
Casinos and racetracks still need to strengthen protection for minors
Casinos and gaming clubs have improved their identification and support mechanisms. Since the launch of the online prevention module by ANJ in November 2024, more than 2,200 employees have completed training, representing a significant proportion of the industry. However, the prevention plan of one casino was directly rejected, indicating deficiencies. Racetrack operators have strengthened in providing player information, volunteer training, and control, but ANJ urges more effective protection of minors by separating family areas from betting areas and ensuring that children's entertainment does not indirectly promote gambling. Meanwhile, France is establishing a new regulatory framework—earlier this year, ANJ officially implemented the JONUM framework for monetizable digital object games, allowing players to acquire NFTs or blockchain items, which will run as a three-year experimental framework. The regulatory body also calls for a "kick-off to final whistle" gambling advertising ban during the 2026 FIFA World Cup and a large-scale responsible gambling campaign. For more European gambling regulatory dynamics, continue to follow PASA official website.
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