ANJ Warns Excessive Gambling Is Rising Faster Than France’s Online Gaming Market
Autorité Nationale des Jeux has revealed that approximately 600,000 online gamblers in France show a high probability of excessive gambling behaviour following the launch of a new regulatory monitoring algorithm.
According to the regulator, these players represent 8.7% of the total online player population while generating approximately €1.2 billion in gross gaming revenue, equivalent to 60% of total online GGR.
The ANJ described the findings as “concerning,” warning that excessive gambling is increasing faster than overall player growth across the French market.
The regulator also stated that operator identification systems remain insufficient despite recent improvements in responsible gambling detection measures.
Operators Still Falling Short On Player Protection
During annual compliance reviews, the ANJ noted that operators significantly increased the number of identified excessive gamblers between 2024 and 2025.
The number of players identified as excessive gamblers rose from 31,000 to 89,000 over the period, reflecting stronger intervention efforts across the French online gambling sector.
However, the regulator believes the figures remain inconsistent with the actual scale of excessive gambling activity and broader prevalence studies conducted within the market.
As a result, the ANJ is now increasing pressure on operators to strengthen detection systems, improve monitoring tools and provide more direct intervention for vulnerable players.
The regulator said support measures should include:
• direct player contact
• personalised gambling limits
• implementation of moderation tools
• referrals to support organisations and treatment centres
• account restrictions or closures where necessary
The findings reinforce the growing regulatory focus across Europe on measurable responsible gambling enforcement rather than policy-based commitments alone.
New Algorithm Uses 23 Behavioural Indicators
To strengthen oversight capabilities, the ANJ developed a proprietary algorithm designed to identify excessive gambling patterns across online gambling accounts.
The system was developed using operator data, regulatory monitoring information and scientific research linked to gambling addiction behaviour.
The algorithm uses 23 behavioural indicators tied to:
• financial transactions
• betting activity and frequency
• gambling moderators and limits
• player history and behavioural patterns
Based on these indicators, players are categorised into four groups:
• recreational players
• moderate-risk players
• excessive players
• manifestly excessive players
According to the regulator, approximately 300,000 players were classified as clearly excessive gamblers requiring immediate identification and intervention from operators.
The ANJ also stated that the tool was validated against the Canadian Problem Gambling Index under the supervision of an independent scientific committee.
The regulator’s full findings and methodology were outlined in the official ANJ announcement on excessive gambling trends in France, which detailed how the algorithm was built using operator data and scientific research.
While countries including Spain and the Netherlands are exploring similar initiatives, the ANJ said its system is currently the first operational gambling risk algorithm available at regulatory level in Europe.
Regulatory Pressure Continues To Intensify Across Europe
The ANJ confirmed that operators will now be able to use the algorithm voluntarily alongside their own internal responsible gambling systems.
At the same time, the regulator will use the technology internally as a benchmark tool to assess operator compliance and monitor long-term excessive gambling trends within the French market.
The latest development also reflects a broader international regulatory shift toward stricter compliance oversight and measurable operator accountability, similar to initiatives such as the Anjouan B2B License Recognition Certificate Program introduced to strengthen supplier standards across licensed gaming ecosystems.
Increasingly, regulators are moving beyond traditional responsible gambling frameworks toward data-driven monitoring systems capable of measuring operator performance in real time.
ANJ Signals Stronger Enforcement Ahead
Isabelle Falque-Pierrotin described the algorithm as a major regulatory step forward, saying it allows the authority to assess operator efforts more objectively while improving oversight of excessive gambling risks.
The regulator indicated that future compliance reviews could directly compare operator-reported excessive gambling figures against data identified through the ANJ’s own algorithmic monitoring system.
The authority also expects operators to rapidly improve identification rates for the approximately 300,000 manifestly excessive gamblers already detected through the model.
The warning sends a clear message across the European iGaming sector:
responsible gambling enforcement is increasingly becoming a measurable compliance obligation rather than a voluntary operational initiative.
Source: ANJ
