The ongoing conflict between France’s growing illicit market and its licensed gaming industry has reached a critical breaking point. AFJEL, the primary trade association representing major operators like Betclic, Entain, and Betsson, has issued a renewed and urgent warning for the French government to dismantle the unregulated “back alley” of the internet.
The Fortress of Regulation vs. The Open Gate
AFJEL’s core argument centers on the extreme disparity in safety between legal and illegal platforms. In France, licensed operators must navigate some of the strictest Know Your Customer (KYC) protocols in Europe, requiring government identification, bank account verification, and proof of residency for a single bet.
These digital locks make it nearly impossible for minors to access legal sites without sophisticated identity fraud.
In contrast, the illicit market is experiencing viral growth, with an estimated 5.4 million residents, a 35% surge in just two years, now frequenting unlicensed sites. These operators utilize influencers and aggressive social media campaigns to target younger generations, normalizing gambling as a risk-free social activity.
Protecting Public Health through Enforcement
The association warns that failing to distinguish between regulated play and “wild west” operators in public health research risks unfairly penalizing the companies that follow the rules. In light of the warning, AFJEL has signaled its total commitment to working with authorities but is demanding significant resources to police digital borders.
Ella Seijsener, director of licensing and supervision, emphasized the necessity of a strong licensed market:
“A strong, licensed market is the best defense we have. However, that defense is becoming weak due to a lack of enforcement against those who refuse to play by the rules.”
