Key points:
- The Council of State validates ANJ's authority to restrict gaming offerings and regulate promotional strategies
- ANJ’s measures include stabilising the distribution of scratch cards and removing high-risk games to curb excessive gambling
- The regulator maintains the authority to prohibit gambling advertisements from promoting social causes linked to gaming revenue
The French Council of State has confirmed the National Gaming Authority's (ANJ) power to regulate the gaming offerings and promotional strategies of monopoly operators, following two decisions published on 11 February 2025.
The rulings, prompted by appeals from Française des Jeux (FDJ), reinforce ANJ’s role in protecting players and combatting excessive gambling.
In its first ruling, the Council of State upheld ANJ’s restrictions on FDJ’s gaming and betting program for 2024. The regulator had imposed limits on the availability of certain games based on concerns about problem gambling and the intensification of gaming behaviours.
Specifically, the decision supported ANJ’s mandate to stabilise the distribution of some scratch card products and their digital versions while modifying or removing games linked to high levels of excessive gambling.
The ruling also acknowledged the impact of illegal gambling markets in shaping regulatory policies.
The second decision focused on advertising regulations, affirming ANJ’s authority to prevent gambling promotions from referencing social causes funded by gaming revenue.
The Council of State agreed that such advertising could mislead consumers about the risks associated with gambling.
With the Council of State’s backing, ANJ is expected to continue enforcing controls over gambling products and marketing strategies in the coming years.
These decisions align with ANJ's recent regulatory actions, including the regulator’s review of operators' 2025 promotional strategies. ANJ observed an 11% increase in promotional budgets to €695m, leading to mandatory reductions for the four largest online operators.
