ANJ Launches Five-Point Action Plan After Euro 2020 Betting Concerns

The French gambling regulator ANJ has unveiled a comprehensive action plan targeting sports betting operators following what it called "questionable practices" during UEFA Euro 2020, which generated €434 million in online stakes.

Market Data Reveals Scale of EngagementFrench national team matches attracted €88 million in bets alone, averaging €22 million per match. A Harris Interactive survey commissioned by ANJ found that over half of respondents felt betting advertising was excessive, while nearly 80% believed such ads pose addiction risks.

Operators Acknowledge Need for ChangeAt a July 20 meeting, ANJ told operators that a "yellow line has been crossed" regarding advertising pressure, questioning the regulatory model in place for the past decade. Operators agreed to work with the regulator to limit commercial communications, particularly those targeting young adults or promoting easy money narratives.

Five-Point Reform AgendaAdvertising:

Mid-term review of promotional strategies approved in January 2021, with sanctions for non-complianceSeptember stakeholder consultation on advertising rulesPartnership with ARPP to develop operational advertising guidelines by year-endBonuses and Promotions:

Analysis of French and European bonus practices to define "reasonable" conditionsPotential regulation strengthening based on findingsProblem Gambling Detection:

September 21 expert seminar to establish common definition of problem gamblingInvestigations underway into operators who failed to detect problem gamblers while offering them bonusesStake Limitations:

Review of operator terms under consumer protection law following March 2021 State Council rulingUpdated deliberation on stake limits to be proposed in SeptemberTipsters:

Referrals to administrative and judicial authorities regarding misleading tipster websitesANJ Chairwoman Isabelle Falque-Pierrotin stated the regulator intends to respond "in a decisive and effective way" with clarified rules, new intervention tools, and reinforced sanctions where necessary.