France’s national gaming authority, l’Autorité Nationale des Jeux (ANJ), has finalised its rigorous review of the 2026 “Prevention of Excessive and Underage Gambling” action plans. Covering the entire regulated landscape, from online giants to 210 casinos and 231 racecourses, the regulator has set a non-negotiable priority: a drastic reduction in the number of excessive gamblers by 2027.
The review comes on the heels of alarming 2024 OFDT data, which identifies approximately 1.17 million problematic players in France, including 360,000 at a high-risk “excessive” level. Furthermore, the ANJ expressed deep concern over a nearly 8-point spike in underage gambling, with 42.6% of 15-to-17-year-olds reporting gambling activity in 2025. In response, the ANJ has approved most operator plans but only under the condition of meeting strict new performance-based benchmarks.
Data-Driven Intervention: Identifying the “Silent” Excessive Gambler
While the ANJ acknowledged significant progress, noting that the number of identified excessive players online tripled to 89,000 between 2024 and 2025, it insisted that the figure represents only a fraction of the actual at-risk population.
Under the 2026 standards, licensed operators are required to refine their detection algorithms to flag players earlier. The ANJ’s strategic plan highlights that 38.3% of the industry’s Gross Gaming Revenue currently stems from problematic players. To shift this economic model, the regulator is demanding that operators provide “tangible and measurable results” in their identification efforts. This internal tightening of the regulated market is part of a broader safety strategy, as seen in how France blocked illegal prediction market sites over gambling risks to prevent players from migrating to unmonitored offshore platforms that offer no such protections.
Sector-Specific Requirements: FDJ, PMU, and Land-Based Casinos
The ANJ’s mandates vary across the different verticals of the French market to address specific vulnerabilities:
- Monopolies (FDJ & PMU): Controlling nearly two-thirds of the market, these entities must strictly enforce the ban on sales to minors. The ANJ expects an increase in the number of point-of-sale “mystery shopper” checks and a more robust sanctioning regime for retailers who fail to verify age.
- Casinos and Gaming Clubs: While quality is improving, the ANJ flagged “unequal results”. Many independent casinos still fail to identify a number of excessive players consistent with their foot traffic. Success in this sector will now be measured by the strength of partnerships with local addiction centres (Soin de proximité).
- Horse Racing (FNCH): The National Federation of Horse Racing must now clearly segregate family-friendly areas from betting zones at racecourses. The ANJ specifically warned that children’s animations must not serve as an “indirect initiation” into gambling.
Enforcement Through Permanent Supervision
The 2026 action plans are not merely procedural filings; they are enforceable contracts. The ANJ has reserved the right to conduct unannounced audits to verify that the promised technological and human interventions are in place. For the first time, one casino saw its entire action plan rejected, signalling that the regulator is no longer accepting “check-the-box” compliance.
As the second quarter of 2026 unfolds, the focus shifts to the 2,200 professionals who have recently completed the ANJ’s new e-learning modules. By combining advanced AI detection with better-trained floor staff, the ANJ aims to foster an “accountable gaming” culture that prioritises public health over Gross Gaming Revenue.