The French gambling regulatory authority, ANJ (Autorité Nationale des Jeux), has introduced more stringent guidelines for operators offering bonuses and free bets in an effort to enhance transparency and protect players, particularly those at risk. The move comes less than a month before the opening of the Football World Cup, with the ANJ aiming to provide clarity on commercial offers and prevent potential harm to vulnerable users.
Increased Transparency Requirements:
Operators seeking to provide bonuses and free bets in France are now subject to heightened transparency requirements. The ANJ has implemented these guidelines to address player inquiries and ensure that commercial offers are clearly communicated to prevent any misleading information.
Clear Communication of Offer Details:
Operators are encouraged to articulate their offers more clearly by including all substantial information necessary for proper understanding. This involves specifying the duration of temporary offers and clearly stating the nature of the reward, whether it be real money or in-game credits, to avoid any potential confusion.
Safeguarding At-Risk Users:
The ANJ is particularly focused on ensuring that commercial offers with financial rewards do not worsen the situation for individuals with excessive or pathological gambling problems. Operators are urged to exercise vigilance, especially concerning users who have recently undergone self-exclusion measures or gambling bans.
Restrictions on Welcome Offers:
The regulatory authority recommends that operators refrain from proposing welcome offers that comprise one or more financial gratuities exceeding a total amount of €100. This limitation is aimed at preventing excessive gambling, and the ANJ emphasizes that the reasonableness of such offers will be closely scrutinized during annual reviews of operators’ promotional strategies.
Annual Review and Preventive Action:
The ANJ plans to closely monitor operators’ promotional strategies and action plans to prevent excessive gambling. The reasonable nature of welcome or loyalty offers will be a key focus during these annual reviews, demonstrating the authority’s commitment to ongoing oversight and preventive measures.
The ANJ’s imposition of stricter guidelines on operator bonuses and free bets in France reflects a proactive approach to enhance transparency and protect players, especially those vulnerable to excessive gambling. The focus on clear communication, safeguarding at-risk users, and restrictions on welcome offers demonstrates the regulatory authority’s commitment to promoting responsible gambling practices. The annual reviews and preventive actions further underscore the ongoing efforts to create a safer gambling environment in the country.