ANJ Launches Major Public Consultation on Gambling Advertising Practices

The French gambling regulator ANJ has launched a comprehensive public consultation on gambling advertising practices, responding to what it describes as "excesses" in advertising pressure from sports betting operators during the Euro 2020 football tournament.

Survey Reveals Public ConcernsAccording to a Harris Interactive survey conducted for ANJ during the tournament, more than half of respondents who saw sports betting advertisements considered them excessive. Nearly eight in ten French viewers believed these ads could contribute to gambling addiction.

The regulator noted that advertising targeting young audiences and messaging that promotes the illusion of easy money are "particularly problematic" and challenge the regulatory model established over the past decade.

Consultation StructureThe consultation, running through September and October 2021, aims to:

Assess how gambling advertisements are perceived by various stakeholders and identify associated risksEvaluate ANJ's existing regulatory tools and explore additional measures to protect young people and vulnerable populationsThe process includes public questionnaires, citizen dialogue workshops, and stakeholder sessions with operators, healthcare professionals, and advertising industry representatives through a joint workshop with ARPP (the French advertising self-regulatory body).

Potential Regulatory OutcomesANJ President Isabelle Falque-Pierrotin stated the regulator chose an open consultation approach because gambling advertising "concerns everyone: players, non-players, parents, educators, operators."

The consultation findings will inform new advertising guidelines and potentially lead to proposals for additional regulatory measures before year-end. Several European countries have already implemented stricter advertising volume limits and content restrictions in response to similar concerns.