The French gambling regulator, l’Autorité Nationale des Jeux (ANJ), has activated a new regulatory framework specifically for games that incorporate monetisable digital objects. Initiated in February 2026, this framework is part of a broader initiative to regulate Web3 and blockchain-based games within France. The Jeux à Objets Numériques Monétisables (JONUM) regime is set to run as a three-year experimental framework. It aims to manage games that fall between traditional gaming and regulated gambling by allowing players to acquire digital objects such as non-fungible tokens (NFTs), which can then be traded on secondary markets. However, unlike licensed gambling products, these games are prohibited from offering cash prizes, and there are restrictions on the rewards players can receive over time.
The JONUM framework became effective following the implementation of certain decrees earlier this month. It was initially established under the Security and Digital Space Regulation (SREN) Act, enacted in May 2024. The framework introduces a new legal category for online games that involve financial stakes and elements of chance but do not offer winnings in legal currency. This regulatory approach is designed to provide a clear distinction between these types of digital games and traditional gambling, while still enforcing consumer protection measures akin to those in place for licensed gambling operators.
A significant aspect of the JONUM framework is its consumer protection measures. Operators offering these games must verify the age and identity of players, with individuals under 18 years old prohibited from participating, mirroring the requirements for regulated gambling products in France. Additionally, operators are required to implement responsible gambling tools, which allow players to set limits on playtime and spending, and offer self-exclusion options.
To offer JONUM products, operators must first submit a declaration to the ANJ. They must also ensure complete transparency with the regulator by providing activity logs and tracking access if blockchain or wallets are employed. This ensures that the ANJ can effectively monitor these platforms for compliance with anti-money laundering regulations and other legal standards. This model strives to differentiate blockchain-based gaming from traditional gambling, while still applying essential consumer protection standards.
With this regulatory framework, France becomes one of the first European countries to create a tailored regulatory model for monetisable digital object games. This move contrasts with approaches in other European countries, which have varied in their handling of similar gaming mechanics, such as loot boxes. In Belgium, for example, the regulator deemed paid loot boxes in specific video games as violations of national gambling laws, prompting some publishers to remove these mechanics to avoid non-compliance. In the Netherlands, authorities have scrutinized loot boxes through existing gambling frameworks, requiring developers to modify or eliminate chance-based systems.
In the United Kingdom, the approach has been notably different. The UK Gambling Commission decided not to categorize loot boxes under the Gambling Act 2005, arguing that most do not fit within its jurisdiction because the items involved cannot be directly converted into real-world money. Consequently, the UK government has refrained from imposing immediate regulation. Instead, efforts have been directed towards encouraging industry-led measures to protect younger players, including backing the UK Interactive Entertainment’s guidelines to restrict loot box access to those over 18.
Looking ahead, the ANJ will monitor the JONUM framework’s implementation and assess its impact on both the market and consumer safety. The three-year experimental period will allow for adjustments based on emerging trends and compliance challenges faced by operators. This proactive approach may serve as a model for other jurisdictions contemplating similar regulations, reflecting a growing recognition of the complexities involved in regulating digital and blockchain-based gaming.
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