The French National Gaming Authority (ANJ) is launching a completely redesigned version of its voluntary gambling ban service. More fluid, faster, and equipped with enhanced identity checks, this new platform marks a major turning point in the prevention of gambling addiction.
A confidential system designed to protect players
Voluntary gambling bans are based on a simple principle: to allow anyone experiencing difficulties with gambling to temporarily step away from a practice that has become dangerous. It is a personal, strictly confidential process that aims to protect individuals from financial, psychological, and social risks.
Since its transfer to the ANJ in 2021, the register of people banned from gambling has grown dramatically. At that time, there were 40,000 people registered, a number that has now risen to more than 85,000, an increase of 25% in two years. In 2024 alone, 19,000 people requested protection.
Being registered on this list means being automatically excluded from several types of gambling:
- access to casinos and gaming clubs;
- access to licensed sports betting, horse racing and online poker sites;
- access to online or point-of-sale games requiring a player account, such as those offered by Française des Jeux or PMU.
The ban lasts for at least three years, a deliberately high threshold to ensure effective protection. After this period, the registered person can request that the ban be lifted when they feel ready.
Faster, fully digital registration
The big change is the launch of a completely modernized platform, designed to offer a smooth and secure experience. The goal is to enable people in distress to obtain almost immediate protection.
The redesigned process consists of several key steps:
The player accesses the dedicated service online. Their identity document is then authenticated, and they take a dynamic selfie using their smartphone thanks to the device provided by IDnow. Once the procedure has been validated, they receive an email confirming their registration. The ANJ announces that the ban will take effect in just a few days, a timeframe that will soon be reduced to 24 hours.
This innovation meets a major need: to avoid waiting periods during which a player could relapse.
Enhanced security
Identity verification is a key part of this new system. The use of dynamic selfies aims to limit fraud and ensure that the person requesting to be banned is indeed the one taking the action. The solution adopted by the ANJ is based on technology capable of detecting falsifications, still photos, or attempts to circumvent the system.
A vision for 2026
The ANJ is not stopping at the launch of this new tool. From 2026, each registered person will be able to access a personal account, a secure space where they can view documents related to their ban or request its removal.
In addition, there will be a call program designed not only to support players but also to gather their feedback. The goal is to further improve the system, understand the difficulties encountered, and develop a more targeted prevention policy.
With this new system, the ANJ is taking a decisive step forward. By combining speed, security, and support, the institution is offering a unique prevention model adapted to players’ new digital habits. The stakes are high: to provide an effective bulwark against the risks associated with excessive gambling, while ensuring an accessible, respectful, and confidential solution.