The latest news from the Casino world!
Isabelle falque pierrotin in an armchair with an anj sign on the wall behind

ANJ supports tax increase on gambling companies: small operators in danger

At the beginning of October, the French government announced a probable surtax on games of chance to replenish the Social Security coffers. This announcement had an immediate effect and the stock price of the Française des Jeux fell by almost 10%.

This surtax proposal was submitted to the draft budget, we do not yet know if it will be effective or not but one thing is certain, it has already caused a lot of ink to flow.

The ANJ positions itself for the increase

Isabelle Falque-Pierrotin, the president of the National Gaming Authority (ANJ), does not find it senseless to increase the tax on gaming companies. In an interview with Les Échos, she states that it is not a bad decision to increase the tax by 3.5 percentage points on the gross gaming revenue (GGR). That is to say the difference between what people bet and what they win in the end.

According to her, this could cause major problems for small gaming companies but could also discourage large gaming groups from setting up in France, where the tax on gambling is the highest in Europe. She therefore sees it as a good solution to reduce the supply of games, and at the same time, reduce the problems of gambling addiction.

Afjel warns of major consequences

The French online gaming association (Afjel), for its part, is opposed to this increase, which it finds completely disastrous. It is worried about the consequences of a significant increase in taxes on the sector. In a press release, it states that this could not only destroy businesses, but also cost jobs.

“It would be a disaster for the sector.”

She stresses that the consequences will probably be a decrease in support for sport and horse racing and a growth in the illegal gambling market. These same illegal gambling sites that have already caused more fraud and gambling addiction in recent years.

Unable to cope with this increase

Currently, France has 17 legal operators and many of them are already in difficulty. They are recording losses or barely reaching the break-even point at the end of the month. Afjel stresses that these companies will not be able to cope with the increase in taxes.

“If the tax increases, companies will also have less money to fight gambling addiction. This can only lead to more problems.”

 | 

Caroline specializes in the casino industry, where she combines a deep knowledge of the gaming sector in France with a passion for digital innovations. She explores the changes that are revolutionizing this industry, from the integration of artificial intelligence in the user experience and data analysis to blockchain technologies that strengthen the security and transparency of transactions. Curious and committed, she is particularly interested in responsible gaming solutions and new regulations, addressing topics as varied as player protection, risky behavior management, and the importance of ethical practices.

Through her in-depth and accessible articles, Caroline allows readers to better understand the trends, innovations and challenges of a constantly changing industry. She takes care to demystify new technologies and to make the link between technical advances and their concrete implications for players and operators. Her goal? To offer an informed and balanced vision of a sector in full transition, between tradition and modernity, while contributing to a dialogue around more responsible and secure gaming.

Recommended

Cheating worth €76,000 at La Grande-Motte

Five men have been arrested for cheating as part of an organised gang at the Pasino in La Grande-Motte, causing a loss of €76,000. Thanks to CCTV footage, the management discovered that they were using an iron rod inserted into the roulette wheel to manipulate the trajectory of the ball and distort the results.

A first in France: crypto at the JOA Casino

The JOA Casino in Le Tréport, located in Seine-Maritime, has become one of the first gaming establishments in France to accept payments in cryptocurrencies. The move, made possible through a partnership with fintech LYZI, allows players to convert their cryptos into euros securely and seamlessly.

Demystifying betting: the ANJ’s action

Since September 2024, the National Gaming Authority (NGA) has stepped up its efforts to raise awareness among young amateur sportsmen and women of the risks associated with sports betting. In collaboration with the SportEasy application, an awareness campaign has been launched, followed by free sessions in sports associations.