The French National Gaming Authority (ANJ) has embarked on a significant revision of its sports betting regulations, aiming to enhance readability, consistency, and integrity in the market. The decision, made in December, focuses on preventing market manipulation and refining the eligibility criteria for sports bets.
Changes to Eligible Sports Bets:
Since 2010, French sports bettors have navigated a specific list of eligible sports for betting. However, the ANJ identified a decline in the list’s readability and consistency over the years. The recent update addresses this concern by reevaluating the list to ensure that bets are rooted in the bettors’ sporting knowledge and know-how.
Revised List of Events and Competitions:
The revised sports list reflects a significant reduction, with 179 competitions removed. The ANJ justified these removals on various grounds, including discontinued events, susceptibility to manipulation (exemplified by the first-level Tunisian football championship), and failure to meet legal criteria due to a lack of significance or notoriety (as seen in the first-level Armenian football championship). The updated list now comprises 772 competitions.
Articulation of Betting Limitations:
In an effort to clarify restrictions on result types, the ANJ introduced new wording without reducing the overall number of bets. Instead, bets have been grouped into broader categories, streamlining the betting process for punters.
Removal of Restrictions in Tennis and Basketball Betting:
The update brings positive changes by removing certain limitations and caps in tennis and basketball betting. For instance, restrictions related to result types such as “player(s) who score(s) 20 points or more” in basketball have been lifted. This move is likely to enhance the flexibility and appeal of sports betting in these categories.
Alignment with Legal Criteria:
The ANJ emphasized the importance of aligning with legal criteria for inclusion on the sports betting list. Competitions that no longer met these criteria were carefully evaluated and subsequently removed. This move aims to ensure that only significant and reputable events are available for sports betting, maintaining the integrity of the market.
Comparison with Previous Updates:
This decision follows a recent update by the ANJ, where the authority scrutinized upcoming gambling advertising proposals from operators in France. The holistic approach to regulating both betting options and advertising demonstrates the ANJ’s commitment to creating a secure and transparent gambling environment in the nation.
The French National Gaming Authority’s recent update to sports betting regulations marks a pivotal moment in the evolution of the country’s gambling landscape. By focusing on readability, consistency, and alignment with legal criteria, the ANJ aims to curb market manipulation and enhance the overall integrity of sports betting. Punters can now look forward to a more streamlined and regulated experience, with a refined list of events and clarified betting limitations. This move, coupled with the examination of gambling advertising proposals, showcases the ANJ’s dedication to fostering a responsible and secure gambling environment in France.