The ANJ faces new challenges on the French gambling market
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20 Feb 2024 •
Reading time: 3 minutes In a recent interview with The Huddle, Isabelle Falque-Pierrotin, president of the Autorité Nationale des Jeux (ANJ), shed light on a possible opening of the French gambling market. The Française des Jeux (FDJ) bid for Kindred Group and the future regulatory challenges to combat an increase in irresponsible gambling and illegal online casinos were also discussed.
The FDJ’s Offer for Kindred Group
The ANJ sees the FDJ’s bid for Kindred Group as an important first step that can restore balance to the market and stimulate competition between operators. The ANJ, which is closely monitoring these developments, will likely be consulted by the competition authority, highlighting the importance of this operation for the French regulatory landscape and highlighting the potential benefits for French channelization.
Irresponsible gaming and player protection
Falque-Pierrotin expresses great concern about the share of irresponsible gaming in the national GGR, estimated at almost 20% according to a 2019 study. The ANJ aims to reduce this share by encouraging operators to identify and guide these players more effectively . This stricter approach should result in better protection of consumers and the prevention of addiction among players.
Following this, she also mentioned a new strategic plan aimed at transforming the economic model and culture of gambling operators in France. The ANJ promotes a responsible approach to gambling, by aligning operators’ practices with the objectives of player protection and combating addiction.
There are still major concerns about the fight against illegal sites
Recently, the EGBA took France to task over the regulation of online casinos and their growing concerns about the black market. The chairwoman of the ANJ confesses that she has to repeat herself… Until now, the government authorities have always said no for two main reasons.
The first is a more than sufficient market of land-based casinos, which government authorities do not want to endanger. And the second concerns the dangers of addiction related to online casinos that are much more prevalent than in all other forms of gambling. The opening of the online casino market will therefore not be immediate, despite the fact that there have been many rumors for years.
However, the chairwoman confirmed to us that the ANJ plans to continue to intensively combat illegal online content to protect players. She emphasized that in 18 months of intensive fighting, the ANJ has blocked more illegal casinos than in the last 10 years.
The ANJ emphasizes the importance of international cooperation, especially with North American regulators. “Only in this way can we stop illegal online content together, especially since many companies hosting this content are based in the United States.” This initiative underlines the ANJ’s commitment to working across borders to safeguard the gambling ecosystem.
If you wish to learn more, you can always watch the full interview below: