French regulator demands reduction in the number of problem gamblers on the betting market
France's national gambling regulator ANJ has urged operators to significantly reduce the number of problem gamblers, who currently account for about 38% of the industry's revenue. This conclusion was drawn from the latest sector review.
According to ANJ, there are approximately 1.17 million problem gamblers in France, with 360,000 classified as at critical risk. These findings are based on pre-pandemic statistics, highlighting a significant impact of this group on operators' earnings.
The regulator is particularly concerned about the increase in underage betting. In 2025, 42.6% of teenagers aged 15–17 placed bets, despite this being prohibited by law. This is an 8 percentage point rise over the past four years.
Online operators recorded a sharp rise to 89,000 players showing signs of addiction in 2025, which is three times higher than the previous year. This trend indicates worsening conditions in the online gambling segment.
ANJ is the national agency responsible for regulating and overseeing gambling activities in France, setting responsible gaming requirements and restrictions to protect player safety and industry sustainability.
The new regulatory measures call for active intervention against gambling addiction, particularly among youth, with increased monitoring of problem gamblers. Addressing these issues is crucial to balancing market growth with social responsibility.
It is expected that future regulatory steps will focus on enhancing surveillance and supporting aid programs for addicted players, potentially reshaping operators’ strategies in the coming years.
