French regulator launches public consultation into gambling advertising
ANJ reacts to public pressure following Euro 2020 marketing tidal wave as it prepares for two-month engagement process
French gambling regulator ANJ is set to launch a nationwide public consultation on operator advertising practices.
The decision follows what the ANJ described as “advertising pressure” during this summer’s Euro 2020 tournament, which saw a deluge of gambling ads broadcast throughout the four-week competition.
According to research conducted by Harris Interactive and commissioned by the ANJ, more than half of respondents felt that there were too many ads shown.
In light of this, the ANJ has launched a multipoint consultation to run throughout September and October that will ask both gambling industry experts and members of the public to lend their opinions on the subject.
An online questionnaire will be available on the ANJ website from 20 September for one month and will allow anyone to share their thoughts and proposals.
Workshops will also be hosted by the ANJ throughout France to assess the public’s opinion on the acceptability of gambling advertising.
In terms of industry stakeholders, the ANJ will call for evidence and contributions from the sector, as well as running a workshop in tandem with the Professional Advertising Regulatory Authority to bring together operators and advertisers to discuss the topic.
The ANJ said all the contributions would be used to build guidelines relating to advertising, and if necessary, propose new regulations before the end of the year.
Isabelle Falque-Pierrotin, ANJ president, said: “To question the permanence of a consensus around the French model of gambling and the changes that could possibly be made in terms of advertising, the ANJ has chosen to focus on the way of a consultation open to the whole public.
“Indeed, the advertising of gambling concerns us all: players, non-players, parents, educators, operators. Everyone will be able to express themselves on the acceptable balance to be found between advertising on gambling and maintaining a recreational practice of gambling.
“It will then be up to the regulator to make balanced and effective recommendations, based on a social pact shared by all,” she added.
Prior to Euro 2020 kicking off in June, members of the European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) committed to responsible gambling advertising throughout tournament.