【things to do at foxwoods】-French gambling regulator reports positive results from RG action plan

Between January and March 2025, the ANJ board conducted a comprehensive review of the prevention action plans submitted by all licensed gambling operators in France.

The assessment comes as the regulator reported a marginal increase in mediation requests in 2024, reaching 1,541 compared to 1,523 in 2023.

The majority of these requests pertained to disputes concerning account restrictions, closures, fund withdrawals, and bet cancellations.

Following a 2019 ordinance designed to strengthen player protection, gambling operators are mandated to submit annual action plans to the ANJ detailing their strategies for preventing excessive and underage gambling.

This requirement facilitates ongoing dialogue between the ANJ and operators, enabling the authority to issue specific directives and monitor compliance.

An assessment of operator cooperation followed this review, highlighting the positive reception of four primary recommendations that emerged from the examination of player complaints and industry practices.

The recommendations focused on the following areas: the handling of player balances, the management of live betting, the monitoring of provisional accounts, and the prevention of excessive gambling.

Regarding player balances, the mediator suggested that operators should refund initial deposits when accounts are closed due to suspected fraud, excluding instances of confirmed fraudulent activity.

This distinction aims to balance the need to protect operators from financial losses with the imperative to ensure fair treatment of players.

The recommendation has been received positively by operators, according to the regulator.

In live betting management, the ANJ advocates for the implementation of automated systems to ensure immediate bet blocking upon the occurrence of relevant events.

This measure aims to prevent post-event betting, a practice that can lead to disputes between operators and players.

Communication and account oversight remain core focuses

The ANJ also emphasised the need for clear communication with players regarding the time lag between event occurrence and bet removal, to ensure transparency and manage player expectations.

Operators have acknowledged the value of these recommendations and are working towards the implementation of these automated systems.

The monitoring of provisional accounts was another key area of focus.

The ANJ highlighted the importance of rigorous monitoring and prompt verification of supporting documents to prevent underage or banned individuals from accessing gambling services.

It recommends that accounts should be immediately suspended if any discrepancies are detected during the verification process, demonstrating a commitment to safeguarding vulnerable populations.

Operators have responded positively, according to the regulator, indicating a willingness to strengthen their verification processes.

While disputes related to excessive gambling were relatively infrequent, the ANJ stressed the need for operators to maintain and enhance their preventive measures.

These measures should include improved communication strategies, continuous monitoring of player behaviour, and robust fraud detection systems.

The ANJ also highlighted the importance of proactive interventions to identify and assist players at risk of developing gambling problems. Operators have committed to enhancing their responsible gambling initiatives.

This cooperative environment has facilitated a more effective resolution of player disputes and fostered a more constructive relationship between regulators, operators, and players, according to the regulator.

In 2024, the mediation service processed 741 disputes, achieving an average resolution time of 37 days, significantly below the 90-day maximum stipulated by the French Consumer Code.

Additionally, 728 claims were deemed inadmissible, often due to lack of jurisdiction or incomplete documentation.

Approximately 47% of the proposed dispute resolutions were accepted by the involved parties, indicating a substantial level of agreement and implementation.

FDJ and PMU face continued scrutiny

The ANJ highlighted the reviewed and approved operational plans presented by La Française des Jeux (FDJ) and Pari Mutuel Urbain (PMU), which together control nearly two thirds of France’s gambling market.

While acknowledging the submitted plans, the ANJ has directed both operators to enhance their efforts in two critical areas outlined in the authority’s strategic plan for 2024-2026.

Firstly, the ANJ has mandated stricter enforcement of the prohibition against selling gambling products to minors. This requires FDJ and PMU to implement more rigorous systems for monitoring retail outlets.

This must include a substantial increase in the number of outlets inspected, a clearly defined and consistently applied penalty structure for violations, and a comprehensive representation of retail locations within the monitoring process.

Secondly, the ANJ has called for a more robust framework for identifying and assisting individuals struggling with excessive gambling.

Specifically, the authority has instructed both companies to launch a pilot programme in 2025 involving identified gambling within retail locations.

Furthermore, they must develop and implement a thorough training and oversight program for retail personnel, equipping them to recognise and address potential problem gambling behaviours.