Key Moments:
- The Autorité Nationale des Jeux (ANJ) appointed Sophie Namer to lead its newly created Directorate of Enforcement as of July 11.
- The ANJ proposed a whistle-to-whistle ban on gambling advertising during sports broadcasts before the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
- France’s gambling regulator imposed major fines and blocked over 1,300 unlicensed URLs, showing a commitment to fighting illegal operations.
Leadership and Structural Changes Enhance Enforcement
The French gambling regulator has intensified its crackdown on illegal gambling by establishing a dedicated enforcement department. Sophie Namer now leads the freshly launched Directorate of Enforcement, formed on July 11, bringing expertise accrued during her six years at the Administrative Courts of Limoges and Toulouse. Working alongside deputy director Jérôme Labarbe, Namer is tasked with targeting unlicensed operators who exploit loopholes within France’s regulatory landscape.
In a parallel move, Pauline Hot took over as president in July, succeeding Rémi Latastem after his five-year tenure. Previously, Hot served as deputy director general starting in January, and brings experience from her rapporteur work at the Council of State.
Additionally, ANJ created a Directorate of Data, Markets and Innovation to improve monitoring and oversee projects like the JONUM innovation program, sharpening regulators’ ability to detect unlawful gambling activity through data analysis.
Major Regulatory Initiatives to Combat Illegal Gambling
The ANJ’s structural revamp underscores a stronger commitment to combating illegal gambling operators. Market research from early 2023 highlighted that such operators generated between €748 million and €1.5 billion in untaxed revenue in France, drawing customers away from licensed entities and neglecting player protection measures.
To address these issues, the regulatory authority has shifted focus to a more enforcement-centric approach, with a leadership team experienced in legal procedures and regulatory compliance.
Crackdown on Advertising and Market Disruption
Ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the ANJ is pushing for a whistle-to-whistle ban on gambling ads during sports broadcasts. This proposed restriction would cover the period starting five minutes before and extending to five minutes after coverage, in line with measures previously adopted in Britain and Ireland. Reports from the UK have indicated less exposure of gambling ads to children under similar restrictions.
Other recent initiatives include a January directive requiring the four largest French gambling operators to curb marketing and sponsorship expenditures, and a 2023 ban on the use of athlete images popular with minors in betting advertisements. The 2026 World Cup is being viewed as an opportunity to launch a wide-reaching responsible gambling campaign, with the ANJ emphasizing the need for lasting cultural changes.
Concrete Enforcement: Fines, Sanctions, and Blocking Illicit Activity
The ANJ has already demonstrated its commitment to strict enforcement. In January 2025, it levied an €800,000 fine against Unibet for serious lapses in its self-exclusion system, which permitted barred players to keep betting. In the previous year, the regulator issued nine sanctions, imposed total fines of up to €150,000, blocked 1,335 unlicensed domains, and initiated 231 administrative proceedings. Additionally, it has begun freezing financial transactions associated with illegal operators.
France aims for a tangible reduction in gambling addiction rates by 2026, with the regulator striving for notable decreases in both the prevalence of problem gambling and the share of operator revenues derived from this group. The voluntary self-exclusion register has grown to 85,000 individuals, more than double its size since 2021.
Bringing Sophie Namer on board as enforcement chief is a pivotal move in the ongoing battle against illegal gambling. Armed with new resources and political support, the Directorate of Enforcement is positioned to escalate efforts against those undermining France’s regulated gambling market.
Recent Regulatory Actions by the ANJ
| Action | Details |
|---|---|
| Fine on Unibet | €800,000 fine in January 2025 for failures in self-exclusion system |
| Sanctions Issued (last year) | 9 sanctions totaling €150,000 |
| Blocked URLs | 1,335 unlicensed websites blocked |
| Administrative Actions | 231 administrative measures initiated |
| Self-Exclusion Registry | 85,000 individuals registered, more than twice the 2021 figures |
- Author
Daniel Williams
