ANJ inks problem gambling prevention partnership with OFDT

French gambling regulator ANJ has inked a partnership with the French Observatory for Drugs and Drug Addiction (OFDT) to target increased understanding of at-risk gambling behaviour and gambling-related harm.

The agreement centres on the prevention of “excessive or pathological” gambling and the protection of minors.

It will see the two organisations develop an action plan to provide a framework on which French state-owned licence holders FDJ and PMU can base their pledges to provide 0.002% of received stakes as funding for research, education and treatment (RET).

The ANJ and OFDT will also share data in respect of recreational players, as well as regularly conducting joint studies and research.

In addition, the two will share data and knowledge relating to addiction and the mechanisms related to addiction, providing reciprocal support on research and the dissemination of scientific publications on this subject.

The agreement also aims to define an action plan shared between the ANJ and OFDT over the next two years, with the agreement scheduled for an overall period of three years.

“This action plan enables work deemed to be a priority to be carried out to strengthen the effectiveness of the regulation of gambling and the robustness of the decisions adopted by the ANJ,” said the regulator in a statement.

The ANJ may involve the OFDT in its work and invite it to participate in the work of its advisory committee on the prevention of excessive gambling.

The regulator may also be invited to witness the work of the scientific college of the OFDT on subjects concerning gambling and the addiction phenomena they produce.