France’s Autorité Nationale des Jeux (ANJ) has launched a revamped national self-exclusion register, “Interdiction Volontaire,” designed to protect players from the dangers of gambling. The transition to a fully digital system simplifies registration, enhances identity verification, and reduces the activation time to just one day.
The update represents a crucial step in fulfilling ANJ’s commitment to increasing player safety and is the most significant change in France’s player-protection framework since the program’s inception. The original self-exclusion scheme, introduced in 2007 under the Ministry of the Interior, required individuals to visit police stations, complete paperwork, provide identification, and engage in face-to-face interviews.
Initially, the self-exclusion applied only to casinos and gaming clubs. However, with the legalization of online gambling in 2010, its scope expanded. The ANJ took over the responsibility in 2020, further broadening the program’s reach and modernizing the self-exclusion process to meet evolving responsible gambling standards. By 2025, the program has been fully digitized with a streamlined process available via interdictiondejeux.anj.fr.
Now, players need only verify their identity and perform a dynamic selfie using IDnow to activate the exclusion, receiving a notification once the process is complete.
The ANJ’s goal is to ensure that the self-exclusion activation process is as efficient as possible, targeting a turnaround of just one day. Since the ANJ began overseeing the initiative in 2021, the number of registered individuals has more than doubled, rising from 40,000 to over 85,000, with a 25% increase in just the past two years, representing over 19,000 new entries in 2024.
Data from the ANJ shows that 77% of registered individuals are men, with those aged 18 to 24 making up 23% of the total, often citing exposure to aggressive marketing and illegal gambling as influencing factors. The 25 to 34 age bracket comprises 33% of the list, primarily due to sports betting, whereas individuals aged 35 to 49 account for 25%, driven largely by online poker and sports betting. Among those aged 65 and over, the primary challenge remains casino gambling.
Looking ahead, the ANJ plans to introduce personalized user accounts by 2026. These accounts will allow registrants to easily access their documents, monitor their exclusion status, and request reassessment after the three-year minimum exclusion period. Additionally, a new call-back feature will be implemented to gather user feedback and improve ongoing support.
These enhancements aim to make the self-exclusion process “faster, more accessible, and more secure,” aligning with France’s dedication to minimizing gambling-related harms in both online and land-based contexts.
The digital transformation of the self-exclusion register is seen as a necessary evolution to keep pace with the digital age and the complexities introduced by online gambling. As the industry grows, the approach to player protection must also advance to effectively mitigate risks. Some industry experts argue that the convenience of online registration might encourage more individuals to self-exclude, potentially leading to better outcomes for those at risk.
However, there is a counterpoint that suggests the ease of the process might inadvertently increase the number of impulsive decisions to self-exclude, possibly without fully considering the implications. Critics argue that while digital solutions enhance accessibility, they must be complemented by robust educational initiatives to ensure users understand the long-term consequences of their decisions.
The ANJ recognizes the dual responsibility of offering protection while promoting informed choices. In this context, it is crucial that the digital system also provides comprehensive information and support tools to help individuals make decisions that are best suited to their circumstances.
As France continues to refine its approach to responsible gambling, the lessons learned through this digital transition could serve as a model for other countries grappling with similar issues in the gambling sector. The balance between ease of access and thoughtful decision-making remains a central theme in the ongoing discussion about how to best protect players in an ever-evolving industry.
The ultimate success of the new system will be measured not just by the number of registrations but by the effectiveness of its support systems and the tangible reduction in gambling-related harms among its users. By maintaining a focus on both innovation and user education, France aims to set a new standard in player protection.
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