In a two-year plan outlined in the ANJ’s strategy, the regulator has rated the protection of children as a top priority.
Discussions with key stakeholders led to the creation of the roadmap. The roadmap has three main pillars that all place a priority on protecting young people from harmful gambling and protecting them.
First, the first goal is to decrease excessive gambling on France’s gaming market. This pillar reflects a concern for public health in France, according to ANJ.
ANJ will continue its transparency in relation to integrity within the industry as the second pillar. Thirdly, the focus is on improving economic aspects of regulation.
Isabelle Falque Pierrotin, President of ANJ said that the goals of the strategic plan would be monitored for three years.
Falque-Pierrotin said, “After the ANJ has been in operation for three years we believe that gambling regulation must make a pivotal point. This means that market will gradually shift towards a model that is less intense.” This proactive goal of reducing excessive gambling and strengthening protection for minors, will be tracked over a period of three years and adjusted according to monitoring indicators and prevalence studies.
It can only be done if the gaming operators join forces with the regulator in order to change the line: public authorities, institutions and associations.
Reducing gambling ad exposure
For each of the four pillars, regulators have set forth a list of actions. ANJ will limit public gambling advertisements for the first pillar. The focus will be on those most at risk – children and people with gambling problems.
ANJ encourages ethical advertising by operators and sponsors.
ANJ issued an order to operators after the UEFA 2020 European Championship. They stated that “a certain line” was crossed during the event. This led to a consultation with the public on gambling advertisements, and ANJ implemented a crackdown by 2022.
ANJ also re-focus on its compliance policy, and will increase the campaigns that focus on gambling risks. This pillar’s overall goal is to reduce problem gambling in the gambling industry by moving towards a “less intensive” model.
Combatting illegal gambling
ANJ’s second pillar will include a variety of measures to fight illegal gambling. The ANJ will intervene with payment providers, technology vendors, and other platforms to prevent illegal gambling.
The Commission will intensify its efforts to combat money laundering, fraud and other crimes. It will also develop policies that are specific for operators who offer JONUM games – digital objects with a monetisable value.
A proposed law for September 2023 called for regulation of JONUM. The MPs considered amendments to the proposed bill, which mainly focused on distinguishing JONUM and gambling.
JONUM is also included in the action points of the third pillar. ANJ wants to encourage developments within the gaming sector, especially those that are related to JONUM. It will be necessary to find a way of monitoring new trends, and making sure they comply with the player protection laws.
Along with the three pillars of its strategy, ANJ developed its roadmap based on three principles: prioritizing scientific data and market knowledge; mobilizing stakeholders across France and Europe and ensuring ANJ’s role as an exemplary regulatory body.
