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ANJ Flags 600,000 High-Risk Gamblers in France

ANJ Identifies 600,000 High-Risk Online Gamblers in France – Revenue Concentration Triggers Regulatory Pressure on Licensed Operators

Key Takeaways

• France’s gambling regulator ANJ identified around 600,000 high-risk online gamblers in the second half of 2025 using a new algorithm.
• These players represent 8.7% of the total online account-based gambling population across licensed operators.
• The flagged group generated €1.2 billion in gross gaming revenue, equal to 60% of total online GGR in France.
• About 300,000 of the identified players were classified as manifestly excessive gamblers.
• ANJ expects licensed operators to implement the new detection tool and strengthen monitoring of gambling behavior.

Algorithm Flags 600,000 Players as High Risk

France’s national gambling regulator, Autorite Nationale des Jeux (ANJ), has identified approximately 600,000 online gamblers with a high probability of excessive gambling during the second half of 2025. The assessment was made using a newly launched algorithm described by the regulator as the first of its kind in Europe.

The tool was applied across licensed online operators offering account-based gambling in France. This includes accounts held with major market participants such as FDJ United and Pari-Mutuel Urbain. According to ANJ, the 600,000 flagged players represent 8.7% of the total online account-based gambling population in the country.

The regulator reported a significant increase compared with previous detection methods. Before the introduction of the new algorithm, around 89,000 players had been identified as at risk or experiencing gambling-related harm. Under the new system, that figure rose to 600,000.

60% of Online Gambling Revenue Linked to Flagged Accounts

ANJ’s analysis shows a strong concentration of revenue among the identified high-risk group. The 600,000 flagged players generated €1.2 billion in gross gaming revenue during the second half of 2025. This amount corresponds to 60% of total online gambling GGR in France for the period.

The regulator described this revenue concentration as concerning. It also pointed to what it called a dual upward trend: an increase in the number of problem gamblers and a growing share of operator revenues linked to those players.

For users of licensed platforms, these figures illustrate how a relatively small segment of the customer base can account for a majority of revenue. From a regulatory perspective, this dynamic places greater focus on monitoring player behavior and mitigating gambling-related harm.

300,000 Players Classified as Manifestly Excessive Gamblers

Within the group of 600,000 flagged accounts, ANJ identified around 300,000 players as manifestly excessive gamblers. The regulator stated that these cases are so clearly indicative of problem gambling that their identification by operators is imperative.

This classification signals a distinction between players who show elevated risk indicators and those whose gambling behavior is considered clearly problematic. By separating these categories, the algorithm provides a more granular view of player risk levels across the licensed market.

The regulator did not detail the technical parameters of the algorithm but emphasized its role in expanding detection capabilities. The substantial increase from 89,000 to 600,000 identified players reflects a broader scope of analysis under the new system.

Regulatory Expectations for Licensed Operators

ANJ indicated that licensed operators will face increased scrutiny following the findings. The regulator expects companies to implement the new algorithm and strengthen their internal processes for detecting excessive or pathological gambling behavior.

Operators are also expected to document the scale of such activity among their registered players. This suggests a more systematic approach to tracking and reporting risk indicators across customer bases.

For platforms active in the French market, including major operators such as FDJ United and Pari-Mutuel Urbain, the development may require adjustments to compliance procedures, data analysis, and player monitoring systems. The regulator’s communication frames the algorithm as part of a broader regulatory push to improve the identification of at-risk gambling behavior across the licensed online sector.

Implications for the French Online Gambling Market

The findings highlight the scale of high-risk gambling within France’s regulated online environment. With 8.7% of account-based players generating 60% of total online GGR, the data underscores a strong revenue concentration among a relatively small share of users.

For international observers and users comparing gambling markets, the development shows how regulators are increasingly relying on data-driven tools to assess player risk. The introduction of a centralized detection algorithm at the regulatory level represents a structured approach to identifying excessive gambling patterns across multiple licensed operators.

The emphasis on implementation signals that the regulator intends the tool to become a standard component of market oversight rather than a one-time assessment.

Our Assessment

ANJ’s identification of 600,000 high-risk online gamblers in the second half of 2025 marks a significant expansion in the detection of excessive gambling behavior in France. The data shows that 8.7% of players generated 60% of total online gross gaming revenue, with 300,000 classified as manifestly excessive gamblers. The regulator expects licensed operators to adopt the new algorithm and reinforce monitoring and reporting obligations, increasing compliance pressure across the French online gambling market.