The French gambling regulator, the Autorité Nationale des Jeux (ANJ), has raised alarms about the increasing number of excessive gamblers, revealing that these individuals now contribute to a significant portion of gaming revenue. In a recent report, the ANJ introduced a groundbreaking algorithm aimed at detecting high-risk gambling behavior, providing a more comprehensive view of the problem than previous methods. The new algorithm suggests that problem gambling has not only escalated in number but also accounts for a large chunk of the market’s earnings.

Uncovering the Scale of Excessive Gambling

The ANJ’s new algorithm, launched as part of its strategic plan for 2024-2026, found that approximately 600,000 players in France exhibited high levels of gambling risk during the second half of 2025. These individuals made up 8.7% of the country’s total registered players. More concerning was the finding that these players were responsible for generating €1.2 billion in gross gaming revenue (GGR), which equates to about 60% of the total revenue from online gambling.

The findings, which have been validated using the Canadian Problem Gambling Index (CPGI), point to an urgent need for stronger interventions, according to ANJ Chair Isabelle Falque-Pierrotin. She called the release of the algorithm “a decisive step” in improving the regulator’s ability to monitor gambling behavior, emphasizing that it closely reflects the actual actions of online gamblers.

“In addition to survey data, the algorithm helps to objectively assess the efforts required to identify problem gamblers, whom operators must take immediate action to support. Finally, it appears necessary for this identification process to be carried out at points of sale as well, an objective we have been calling on the two monopolies to pursue since 2024”, Falque-Pierrotin said in a statement reported by NEXT.io.

Identifying Problem Gamblers: A Growing Challenge

Although the French gambling industry has seen progress in addressing excessive gambling, the figures remain concerning. Between 2024 and 2025, operators reported identifying only 89,000 problem gamblers, a sharp increase from the 31,000 reported in the previous year. However, the algorithm flagged over 600,000 individuals, showing that the efforts of operators are still far from sufficient. This discrepancy has put the spotlight on the inadequacies of the current identification systems used by licensed gambling operators.

The ANJ has called on operators to prioritize the identification of “manifestly excessive” gamblers, with a focus on the 300,000 individuals most at risk. The regulator expects swift action from operators, urging them to implement preventive measures such as setting betting limits, offering support through health services, or even closing accounts when necessary.

The new algorithm is part of ANJ’s broader strategy to combat gambling harm and is one of the key components of its plan to reduce excessive gambling. The regulator is pushing for stronger identification processes not only for online gambling platforms but also for retail operations. The ANJ aims to extend its oversight to all points of sale, including land-based venues, to ensure a comprehensive approach to identifying and mitigating problem gambling.

While the algorithm remains optional for operators, the ANJ views it as an essential tool for both compliance monitoring and improving operators’ detection methods. By integrating the algorithm into their platforms, operators can benchmark their own identification systems against the regulator’s findings, helping them meet regulatory expectations and reduce the share of revenue generated by excessive gambling.

France’s gambling industry, now worth over €14 billion, continues to grow, but this expansion has come with growing concerns about gambling-related harm. The ANJ’s focus on minimizing excessive gambling is part of an ongoing effort to create a more responsible and sustainable gambling environment.

The new algorithm is a crucial step in the ANJ’s mission to curb the rise of problem gambling, aligning with the regulator’s 2024-2026 strategic objectives. As gambling habits continue to evolve, so too must the tools and methods used to safeguard players, ensuring that the industry remains both profitable and socially responsible.