New French gambling regulator moves closer

L’Autorité nationale des Jeux (ANJ), has moved a step closer to replacing l’Autorité nationale de régulation des jeux en ligne (ARJEL) as France's principal gambling regulatory body, following the publicaton of a decree setting out its key functions and responsibilities.

A decree formalising the transition of power came into effect on 4 March, with ANJ to officially become the country's new regulator once it meets for the first time.

ANJ will act as a single body to oversee gambling in the country, including online gambling, casinos, horse racing in Paris and lottery games. Predecessor ARJEL had only been responsible for regulating France’s online gambling market.

Isabelle Falque-Pierrotin, who had been serving as state councillor for France’s National Commission for Data Protections, will oversee the new organisation as president, as revealed last month.

ANJ's establishment was first announced in October last year, ahead of privatisation of lottery monopoly La Française des Jeux (FDJ). This was completed in December last year, raising €1.89bn (£1.65bn/€2.14bn) for state coffers.

According to the decree, the ANJ will take over responsibitilies previously held by ARJEL, such as licensing and enforcing sanctions on licensees.

As president, Falque-Pierrotin will be responsible for overall operations of the ANJ, while the new organisation will continue to publish any major regulatory decision and rulings on its website. She will lead an eight-person board, whose members will serve for terms ranging from two to six years.