The Autorité nationale des jeux (ANJ), France’s gambling watchdog, has levied a €500,000 fine against an unnamed online betting operator for shortcomings in identifying and supporting individuals showing signs of problematic gambling behavior. Announced on Thursday, the penalty highlights the regulatory body’s focus on enforcing compliance with player protection standards, underscoring its commitment to mitigating gambling-related harm within the sector.
In the investigation spanning from October 1, 2023, to March 31, 2024, the ANJ scrutinized data from the operator’s secure data storage system, or “coffre-fort.” Using a scoring system based on indicators like deposit frequency, betting patterns, and self-exclusion history, the regulator pinpointed 30 players deemed high-risk, 29 of whom were central to the regulator’s complaint. It was found that the operator failed to properly identify these individuals’ gambling risks, with 23 players misclassified at lower risk levels and six not identified at all. Moreover, the operator did not implement adequate interventions to assist 25 players in moderating their behavior, resulting in substantial financial losses for the players.
The legal framework guiding the ANJ’s decision includes the amended 2010 gambling law and the Code de la sécurité intérieure, mandating licensed operators to detect and address excessive gambling behavior. Additionally, the ministerial reference framework established in April 2021 provides a set of indicators for risk detection, although it remains non-binding. The ANJ emphasized that operators must fulfill two distinct obligations: identifying risky gambling behavior and providing effective support measures. Failure in either aspect justifies penalties, irrespective of compliance in other areas.
Company X, the operator in question, raised concerns about the ANJ’s methodology and the legal definitions of “excessive” and “pathological” gambling. The operator argued that the ambiguity in these definitions makes compliance difficult and questioned the criteria used by the regulator, such as the treatment of completed bets and the portability of voluntary limits across accounts. Company X maintained that its automated warnings and promotional exclusions were appropriate interventions. To support its case, the operator highlighted recent improvements to its detection systems and an increase in its player-protection staffing, citing a 28% reduction in net losses over a three-month period as evidence of its efforts.
Despite these arguments, the commission upheld the fine, finding the operator’s measures insufficient and reaffirming the clarity and enforceability of the ministerial framework. The commission also dismissed concerns about the application of specific indicators, affirming the appropriateness of ANJ’s scoring model.
Previously, the operator faced sanctions in 2024 for exceeding statutory payout rate limits in 2022. While this history was acknowledged, the regulator treated the current issue as a separate case, opting not to enhance the penalty due to past infractions. The decision dated July 10, 2026, will be formally communicated to the operator, who has two months to appeal the decision in the administrative courts.
Looking forward, the focus will be on the operator’s response and potential legal action, as well as on how the ANJ continues to refine its regulatory frameworks and enforcement mechanisms to ensure robust protection for consumers in the French gambling market. The decision marks a significant step in demonstrating France’s regulatory stance on gambling and enhancing the accountability of operators within the jurisdiction.
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