The French National Gaming Authority (ANJ) has granted approval to monopoly lottery operator FDJ United’s 2026 plans, subject to several strict conditions being adhered to.
FDJ holds the exclusive rights to run the lottery in France, both online and offline. It also has a retail sports betting monopoly in the market.
The regulator cited data from the Canadian Problem Gambling Index (CPGI) which showed the levels of excessive and problem gambling were on the rise in the European country when comparing figures from 2023 and 2024.
FDJ is proposing to increase its commercial offering and intensify its marketing efforts for its entire range of games to “ensure the attractiveness of the lottery and sports betting offering at points of sale by 2026”.
With these factors in mind, the ANJ has granted its approval, with the provision that FDJ adhere to certain stipulations.
One such condition is that the operator is restricted from including incentivising messaging in its marketing materials, such as “ More than X chance(s) out of X of winning ” or“ Best chance of winning €X”.
ANJ also stipulated FDJ should limit its share of gross gaming revenue (GGR) generated by “excessive and problem players” across all verticals.
The operator has been told to “substantially” reduce its share of problem gambling GGR from online games with successive draws, online scratch cards available from the physical distribution network at €3 euros and more, and online exclusive games.
FDJ must also “withdraw or modify games with the most excessive level of play”.
The ANJ has prohibited the release of the digital draw game ‘Amigo’, while a freeze on the range of successive draw games has been extended through to 2026, after coming into effect this year.
The operator must also reduce the amount of excessive gambling GGR derived from its live bingo product.
FDJ will be limited to releasing or relaunching three €3 scratchcards in 2026, and two €5 scratchcards within the same year.
Lastly, FDJ must reduce the number of games sold exclusively online, with a particular emphasis on games at the €2, €3 and €5 price points.
An ANJ statement read: “Each year, the National Gaming Authority approves the gaming and betting programme for the coming year for operators holding exclusive rights (FDJ and PMU).
“This approval, where applicable, specifies the conditions for implementing the gaming programme.
“This is one of the manifestations of the Authority’s close monitoring of operators holding exclusive rights to ensure that they comply with their enhanced obligations, particularly with regard to the prevention of excessive gambling.”
Back in April, the ANJ cited reducing levels of excessive gambling as an “absolute priority” for the French market.
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French regulator stipulates the operator must limit its revenue generated from at-risk gamblers, in addition to limiting incentivising language in its monopoly offering’s marketing materials
The post ANJ approves FDJ United’s 2026 lottery plans, with “strict conditions” in place first appeared on EGR Intel.