ANJ, France: 38% of GGR comes from problem gamblers

Garance Limouzy July 26, 2024

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ANJ, France: 38% of GGR comes from problem gamblers

France’s gambling regulator, the Autorité Nationale des Jeux (ANJ), published its 2023 activity report. According to the report, over 38% of the sector’s revenue still comes from problematic gambling. To fight problematic behaviours, the regulator aims to change people’s perceptions of gambling.

Market growth and regulation

The gambling sector in France has experienced notable growth, with a turnover of €13.4 billion, marking a 50% increase since the market was regulated in 2011. Today, over half of the French population participates in some form of gambling, collectively spending more than €55 billion annually.

The iGaming sector also showed significant growth, with a total Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) of €2.3 billion, up 7.2% from 2022. Sports betting dominates this segment, accounting for 63.3% of the online GGR, followed by poker (21.6%) and horse betting (15.1%). Football remains the most popular sport for betting, with wagers totalling €4.443 billion.

“Gambling is not a product like any other”

However, “gambling is not a product like any other,” the report states, as the ANJ advocates for a less intensive model to curb “consumers’ natural propensity to gamble”. The growing gambling market does come with its set of challenges, as problematic gambling behaviours still contribute to over 38% of the sector’s revenue.

The 2023 activity report also focuses on the ongoing battle against illegal online gambling, which generates between €748 million and €1.5 billion annually. The ANJ identified 510 illegal websites, with a significant portion of traffic stemming from online casino games.

Changing views about gambling

The ANJ aims to change people’s perspectives about gambling: it should be viewed as a recreational activity rather than a pathway to easy money, the report reads. The regulator hopes this new representation of gambling will reduce the associated social harms.

The ANJ also advocates for stricter regulations on game design to pre-emptively evaluate and address addiction risks and prevent underage gambling. Moreover, the regulator has demanded that operators intensify their efforts in identifying and supporting excessive gamblers, and implementing stricter verification processes.

Promotion and influence

In 2023, the regulation of promotional strategies was an important project for the ANJ. The regulator stressed the need for balanced promotion strategies that do not exploit vulnerable populations, especially as 2024 will be packed with major sporting events (Euro 2024 and the Paris Olympic Games).

The ANJ’s comparative analysis of the 17 licensed online operators and the two exclusive operators (FDJ and PMU) revealed adherence to promotion guidelines aimed at preventing excessive and underage gambling.

However, the role of influencers in promoting gambling, especially among young people, is judged more concerning. A study indicated that 62% of young gamblers follow at least one influencer, with 49% having made purchases based on influencer recommendations. To curb the influence of these marketing strategies, the ANJ recommended that gambling operators avoid partnerships with influencers whose audiences include more than 16% minors.