L’Autorité Nationale des Jeux (ANJ) – France’s national gambling regulatory agency – has hosted its first ‘citizen workshop’ on gambling advertising. 

The research directive forms part of the ANJ’s ‘public consultation phase’ on the prevalence of gambling advertising launched by the regulator following the conclusion of the UEFA Euro 2020 championships.

This October, the ANJ will host ‘citizen workshops’ across French provinces, seeking diverse public opinions on how France should update its advertising laws to moderate gambling advertising and protect young and vulnerable citizens.

The ANJ launched its ‘national review’ having deemed that licensed operators failed to meet its pre-tournament warnings on marketing saturation.

The regulator has split its public research into two phases that will see its citizen workshops followed by an online questionnaire that aims to secure direct feedback on current French gambling adverts.

The ANJ’s advertising research will be supported by France’s ARPP (Professional Advertising Regulatory Authority) and France’s public health networks to ensure that ‘gambling is maintained as a recreational practice’.

French licensed operators have also been reminded of their duties to submit ‘a mid-term activity’ report outlining their advertising campaigns scheduled for the remainder of 2021.

ANJ President Isabelle Falque-Pierrotin stated that public consensus was required in how the authority will advise the government to reform France advertising laws regulating gambling – as a matter impacting multiple agencies.