France’s National Gambling Authority (ANJ) has unveiled a fully digital version of its voluntary self-exclusion program, marking a major leap in protecting players from gambling-related harm. The redesigned service allows individuals to exclude themselves from gambling activities more efficiently while enhancing identity verification and overall security.
A Streamlined Approach to Player Protection
Voluntary self-exclusion provides players with a confidential way to limit access to gambling, protecting them from financial strain, addiction, and related psychological issues. Legal guardians can also register on behalf of individuals experiencing gambling problems. Once registered, the ban restricts access to casinos, gaming clubs, online sports betting, horse racing, online poker licensed by the ANJ, and online or point-of-sale games offered by Française des Jeux and PMU.
The ban lasts a minimum of three years, after which registrants can request to lift it. When ANJ assumed management of the database in 2021, 40,000 people were registered. Today, more than 85,000 individuals are enrolled, with 19,000 new registrations recorded in 2024 alone, representing a 25% increase over two years.
Who Uses the Self-Exclusion Service
Data shows 77% of registered users are men. Young adults aged 18–24 account for 23% of registrations, a group particularly susceptible to commercial gambling offers and illegal betting channels. Those aged 25–34 make up 33% of registrants, with sports betting cited as the primary reason for self-exclusion. Adults aged 35–49 represent 25%, largely due to sports betting and online poker. For players over 65, casino gambling is the main trigger for registration.
Digital Enhancements Improve Accessibility
The new service is entirely online via their website. Players submit their request, verify their identity, and take a dynamic selfie using IDnow technology. Confirmation emails are sent once the registration is processed, with activation expected within a few days. ANJ plans to reduce this period further to just one day, enhancing speed and convenience.
“This most significant update to France’s player-protection regime since the programme was created” replaces the old system, which required in-person visits to a police station, paper forms, and one-on-one interviews. Initially, bans applied only to casinos and gaming clubs; the scope has since expanded to online gambling as regulations evolved.
Looking Ahead: Personal Accounts and Support Programs
From 2026, registrants will be able to create personal accounts to access documents, monitor their exclusion status, and request a lifting of the ban after the three-year minimum. Additionally, ANJ will implement a call-back program to gather feedback and provide more tailored support.
The ANJ emphasizes that the redesign aims to make self-exclusion “faster, more accessible and more secure,” reflecting France’s ongoing commitment to reducing gambling harm across both digital and land-based environments.
By modernising registration and improving identity verification, the regulator hopes to encourage more players to take advantage of the program and strengthen protections for vulnerable populations, ensuring that voluntary bans are practical, effective, and user-friendly.
Source:
“Voluntary gambling ban: a new online service with a smoother experience and enhanced identity control”, anj.fr, November 18, 2025
