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ANJ Publishes a Study to Evaluate the Illegal Online Gambling in France and Gain a Better Understanding of Consumer Practices

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In order to combat illegal online gambling more effectively, the ANJ (Autorité Nationale des Jeux) has commissioned Pricewaterhouse Coopers (PwC) to carry out a study into what is available in France and consumer habits.

The study estimates that the gross gaming revenue (GGR) generated by illegal gambling is between €748 million and €1.5 billion, or between 5% and 11% of the overall gambling market. The scale and risks associated with illegal gambling justify even more vigorous action to combat it, in addition to that already being taken by the ANJ.

More specifically, the purpose of the study was:

  • To measure, over the period from January to March 2023, via a quantitative analysis, the illegal online gambling available in France (illegal websites and mobile applications);
  • To gain a better understanding of the consumption associated with this illegal offer, through a qualitative study carried out on a web panel of more than 11,000 people.

The illegal offer considered in the study is that which presents the following three characteristics:

  • A gambling offer made to the public combining financial sacrifice, hope of winning and a share of chance ;
  • A gambling offer accessible on French territory, via an internet connection giving a French IP (without using a VPN or a proxy);
  • An absence of authorisation granted to the operator of the website or mobile application to offer its online gambling games.

In France, only the 18 operators licensed by the ANJ and FDJ legally offer online gambling.

Illegal gambling dominated by online casino games and slot machines and fuelled by the most vulnerable players

The gross gaming revenue (GGR) generated by illegal online gambling in France is estimated at between €748m and €1.5bn, or between 5% and 11% of the overall gambling market. As a reminder, the overall legal gambling market in France represented nearly €13bn in 2022, including €2.96bn for online gambling (sports and horse betting and poker).

Online casino games (such as roulette, dice games, craps, blackjack and baccarat) and slot machines are estimated to account for 50% of illegal online gambling Internet traffic.

The study, carried out between January and March 2023, identified 510 illegal websites generating traffic on French soil. Of these, 21 alone were estimated to generate 60% of illegal gambling traffic.

50% of the illegal gambling websites whose operators have been identified are owned by companies registered in Curaçao.

79% of the PBJ generated by the illegal online gambling market comes from high-risk gamblers.

Typical profile of illegal gamblers

Around 3 million people are estimated to have played illegal games at least once a month in 2023.

1 out of 2 illegal gamblers say they are unaware of the illegal nature of the offer they are playing on.

Illegal gamblers prefer online casino games other than slot machines (54%).

Illegal gamblers’ main reasons for playing on these unauthorised gambling sites are: the absence of wagering limits or identity checks, the expectation of higher winnings and the greater range of games on offer.

Illegal gamblers say that they first became aware of these sites through: online searches on search engines (19%), online advertising (18%) and social networks (18%).

35% of illegal gamers would use a VPN to play on these sites.

The need to diversify actions against illegal supply

Since March 2022, the ANJ has had the power to administratively block and delist illegal websites. Administrative blocking orders are now faster and less costly. Since then, the ANJ has issued 300 administrative blocking orders covering 1230 blocked URLs. In a year and a half, thanks to the introduction of this procedure, the ANJ has managed to block almost as many Urls as in 12 years of judicial blocking proceedings.

Although the law does not currently provide the ANJ with any other specific means of combating illegal offers, the ANJ intends to take a number of actions in the near future:

  • Making targeted reports to the judicial authorities so that criminal proceedings can be brought against those registered in Curaçao or Cyprus who operate these sites, which currently operate with complete impunity and which the ANJ itself is unable to punish;
  • Take action to warn publishers of illegal games software and companies that provide hosting solutions for illegal sites;
  • Take action against payment service providers that enable financial flows between illegal operators and players;
  • Deepen the exchange of information and best practices with its European counterparts within the framework of the GREF (Gambling Regulators’ European Forum);
  • Increase public awareness of the dangers of illegal supply.

Reminder of the risks associated with illegal gambling

  • Playing on an illegal site entails a number of risks for the player:
  • Winnings are rarely paid out: no legal action is taken against the illegal operator;
  • Minors are not protected: most of the time, there is no check on whether the player has reached the age of majority;
  • There are no legal measures to protect players: self-limitation of bets, deposits and playing time, voluntary prohibition and self-exclusion from gambling, identification and support in the event of excessive or pathological gambling;
  • Risks of identity theft and theft of bank details;
  • Risks of fuelling money laundering and terrorist financing.

Gambling in the USA

Gaming Americas Weekly Roundup – September 8-15

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Welcome to our weekly roundup of American gambling news again! Here, we are going through the weekly highlights of the American gambling industry which include the latest news and new partnerships. Read on and get updated.

Latest News

IGT announced that its much-anticipated Wheel of Fortune Big Money Spin electronic table game (ETG) recently made its world debut at Downtown Grand Casino in Las Vegas, Nev. The vibrant standalone ETG game includes many of the attributes that have propelled the success of the Wheel of Fortune slots franchise for nearly three decades including word puzzles, wheel spins and exciting jackpot rewards. The game is accompanied by an attention-grabbing, 9-plus-feet upright video wheel that stands independent of the ETG terminals and entertains casino guests with the famous “WHEEL-OF-FORTUNE!” chant.

MGM Resorts International has announced that Corey Sanders, Chief Operating Officer, will retire from the company after more than 30 years of dedicated service and leadership. Sanders has agreed to remain COO through Dec. 31, 2025, and to serve as an advisor to the President and CEO through Dec. 31, 2026. The Company intends to name a new COO to serve as Sanders’ successor later this month. Sanders is currently MGM Resorts’ Chief Operating Officer, overseeing the company’s Las Vegas and regional properties as well as multiple corporate departments, including Hospitality, Gaming, Human Resources and Strategic Initiatives. Prior to that, he served as the company’s Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer.

Members of Kletsel Dehe Wintun Nation, the Sherwood Valley Rancheria of Pomo Indians, the Mechoopda Indian Tribe of Chico Rancheria and Big Lagoon Rancheria gathered outside the State Capitol in Sacramento to protest Assembly Bill 831 (AB 831). If passed, the bill would limit economic opportunities available to less wealthy tribes in the state by banning legitimate online social games using sweepstakes promotions. It would also eliminate more than $1 billion of existing economic activity generated by the industry in California, and close off a potential new revenue source for the state via sensible, modern regulation and taxation.

Partnerships

Genius Sports Limited has expanded its long-term partnership with Hard Rock Bet Sportsbook (Hard Rock Bet) to power the top-rated platform with its market-leading official data, trading and marketing solutions, as well as its ground-breaking BetVision product. Genius Sports has worked in partnership with the leading operator since 2021, providing the highest quality official data and pinpoint trading solutions across top tier leagues globally, including the Premier League, Serie A, European Leagues, Liga MX, NFL and more. Hard Rock Bet will be able to provide its customers with Genius Sports’ first-of-its-kind BetVision low latency streaming solution.

Quick Custom Intelligence (QCI), a leading provider of data-driven casino intelligence and player engagement platforms, has announced that Dania Beach Casino is continuing to benefit from its deployment of the QCI Nimble platform. While the property currently focuses on the QCI Host and QCI Marketing modules, it has expressed enthusiasm about the capabilities of the new AGI56 release and its impact on future customer engagement strategies. AGI56 represents the most ambitious release in QCI’s history, with the platform undergoing a full refresh of its technology stack, improved integration of advanced analytics, and the introduction of generative AI-driven tooling through Chatalytics.com. QCI’s platform is currently deployed in more than 350 casinos worldwide.

The post Gaming Americas Weekly Roundup – September 8-15 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Industry News

MediaX Agency Officially Launches Linkible

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MediaX Agency, a globally recognised leader in digital PR and growth marketing, has officially launched Linkible, an AI-powered link building agency engineered to help businesses in highly competitive and regulated industries achieve stronger online authority, higher search engine rankings and sustainable organic growth.

With AI-driven outreach and industry-specific link strategies, Linkible is redefining how brands secure high-quality backlinks, increase domain authority and dominate their niches in Google search.

Linkible is purpose-built for industries where credibility and compliance are critical:

• Law Firms & Legal Marketing – Earn authoritative legal backlinks to attract clients and improve local SEO.

• SaaS Companies – Accelerate organic growth with niche placements and product-led content strategies.

• Cannabis & CBD Brands – Gain SEO visibility while staying compliant in a restricted advertising environment.

• iGaming, Casino & Gambling – Drive traffic with white-hat link strategies tailored for high-competition keywords.

• E-commerce Businesses – Build scalable backlinks to boost product visibility and drive online sales.

Key Features of Linkible

• AI-Powered Prospecting & Outreach – Identify and connect with the right publishers at scale.

• Niche-Relevant Authority Backlinks – Secure placements on trusted websites that move rankings.

• Compliance-First Approach – Tailored strategies for industries facing strict regulations.

• Transparent SEO Reporting – Real-time dashboards to track backlinks, traffic and keyword improvements.

• Scalable Growth Solutions – Flexible link building packages for startups, enterprises and agencies.

“Traditional link building is outdated and ineffective in competitive industries. With Linkible, we’re combining the power of AI with our proven PR and SEO expertise to deliver smarter, faster, and compliance-friendly link building strategies that help businesses rank higher and grow sustainably,” said Rachita Chettri, Co-Founder of MediaX Agency.

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Industry News

Allwyn Launches Player Protection Lab

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Allwyn, the lottery-led gaming entertainment company, has announced the launch of Allwyn Player Protection Lab, a global responsible gaming initiative aimed at supporting novel research and innovation to advance player safety.

Opening immediately for applications, the programme will support academics and experts working in the field of responsible gaming to explore new ideas, concepts and perspectives. Applicants are encouraged to submit proposals focusing on one of three key areas: digital innovation; using messaging to drive positive play; and developing effective safety tools.

Following the open call for applications, awards will be made for successful projects of up to €100,000, dependent on the scope of the prospective proposal.

The project demonstrates Allwyn’s commitment to developing global leading practice in responsible gaming. The call for applications will ensure Allwyn is casting the widest net and has the best chance to uncover new and interesting approaches to protecting players.

Nicole Garrett, Head of Responsible Gaming at Allwyn, said: “The Player Protection Lab is an exciting new avenue for Allwyn. Our responsible gaming team is seeking proposals that will encourage progress in player safety and break new ground in our industry. We hope that by opening the application process, we will have the opportunity to explore genuinely new ideas and draw lessons from other sectors.”

The call for proposals will run until 14 November.

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