The sanctions committee of the French gambling regulator, L’Autorité Nationale des Jeux (ANJ), has issued penalties to four licensed operators for failing to adhere to return-to-player (RTP) regulations.
While the regulator did not publicly name the companies involved, it confirmed that the entities received either formal warnings or financial penalties ranging between €1,500 and €15,000.
Regulatory Context
The disciplinary actions stem from breaches identified during the 2023 operating year. Under French law—specifically Article 25 of the decree dated November 4, 2020—operators are strictly capped at an RTP rate of 85%. This measure is designed to limit the addictiveness of gambling products by controlling the frequency and volume of payouts to players.
The Disciplinary Process
The path to these sanctions began earlier this year. In April, the ANJ board formally referred the four operators to the sanctions committee after internal audits revealed discrepancies in their payout structures. Following a review process, the committee handed down its decisions, emphasizing the necessity of strict compliance with technical standards.
Impact and Appeals
The ANJ noted that these decisions are subject to appeal, allowing the penalized operators to challenge the rulings if they choose. However, the regulator’s action sends a clear signal to the wider market regarding the enforcement of player protection measures. By targeting RTP violations, the ANJ is reinforcing its commitment to maintaining a controlled and safe gambling environment in France.
This crackdown highlights the increasing scrutiny European regulators are placing on technical compliance. As markets mature, authorities are moving beyond simple licensing checks to enforce granular operational standards, ensuring that licensees operate within the specific parameters designed to minimize gambling-related harm.
