France Enacts New Protections for Young Bettors
The French National Assembly has taken a decisive step in updating its national gambling regulation by approving amendments to the Professional Sports Bill. A central component of this legislation is the authorization of a mandatory loss limit for online sports betting consumers between the ages of 18 and 25. This measure reflects a growing focus on youth protection within the country's licensed gaming market.
The new rule creates a legal requirement for operators with French sportsbook licences to enforce an age-specific loss cap. This initiative has been a topic of discussion among lawmakers and regulators throughout the year, seen as a crucial safeguard before the 2026 World Cup. The development signals a major shift in French gambling laws towards more stringent player safety controls.
ANJ's Backing and the Data-Driven Approach
The move to implement youth loss limits received strong support from the Autorité Nationale des Jeux (ANJ), France's unified gambling regulator. Former ANJ President Isabelle Falque-Pierrotin publicly backed the measure before the end of her term, pointing to compelling research from the authority. The ANJ's studies revealed that two-thirds of consumers under 25 have participated in sports wagering, highlighting the demographic's high level of engagement.
Regulatory analysis from the ANJ highlighted a critical need for enhanced protections, noting that a significant majority of young adults are engaged in sports wagering. The regulator's support for the measure stems from data-driven concerns about potential harm in this demographic.
While the law establishes the obligation for a loss limit, the specific monetary threshold has not yet been set. This value will be determined later by the French government through secondary regulation. The government will conduct this process in consultation with the ANJ to ensure the cap is appropriate and effective.
More Than Gambling: The Scope of the Professional Sports Bill
While the gambling provision has captured industry attention, it is part of a much broader legislative effort to reform French professional sports. The Professional Sports Bill is designed to modernize several key areas. These include updating league oversight, improving financial controls, and introducing new governance standards for professional football.
A Crackdown on Audiovisual Piracy
A significant focus of the bill is strengthening enforcement against the illegal broadcasting of sports. Audiovisual piracy has become a major commercial threat, particularly to French football. Data from the Association for the Protection of Sports Programmes (APPS) indicates that 59% of the nation's 9.9 million football fans have watched matches on pirated platforms.
The problem is particularly acute for the top domestic league, with APPS estimating that one in five supporters watches Ligue 1 illegally. Lawmakers argue that stronger powers are essential to protect domestic media rights. This protection is seen as vital for the long-term financial sustainability of professional sports in France.
France's Position in European Gambling Regulation
Upon final passage, this legislation will make France the second regulated European market to mandate youth-specific loss limits, following the Netherlands. The French approach, however, is being implemented within a competitive licensing system, which distinguishes it from some other national models. This move is part of a wider trend across Europe toward age-targeted gambling protections.
The table below compares recent regulatory actions in several key European markets.
| Country | Regulation Type | Target Age Group | Scope of Control |
|---|---|---|---|
| France | Mandatory Loss Limit | 18-24 | Overall customer gambling losses |
| Netherlands | Mandatory Youth Loss Limit | Under 24 | Overall customer gambling losses |
| United Kingdom | Maximum Stake Limit | 18-24 | Online slot games only (£2 limit) |
| Norway | Compulsory Loss Limit | All Ages | All products via state monopoly |
France's proposed controls are broader than recent changes in the UK, where a £2 maximum stake limit for online slots was introduced for players aged 18-24 in May 2025. The French law targets a customer's total losses across online sports betting France, not just the stake on a single game type.
New Leadership, New Agenda at the ANJ
This legislative shift coincides with a change in leadership at the ANJ. Pascal Chèvremont has taken over as the new President, succeeding Isabelle Falque-Pierrotin after her five-year term. Chèvremont is now tasked with overseeing the implementation of this new framework.
His agenda includes several critical policy areas under the ANJ's purview. He will manage the rollout of the youth loss limits, guide the implementation of new gambling advertising controls, and play a central role in building a new 'protection architecture' for all French consumers. Furthermore, Pascal Chèvremont will lead ongoing discussions about creating a roadmap for a safe and regulated iCasino market in France, a significant potential development for the future of gambling in the country.
