France's illegal betting boom puts 5.4 million gamblers at risk
The French Online Gambling Association (AFJEL) has called for stronger action against illegal betting sites. The group warns that unregulated platforms now attract 5.4 million users in France—a 35% rise in recent years. According to AFJEL, these sites pose serious risks, particularly to minors and vulnerable players.
AFJEL highlights that licensed operators follow strict rules, including identity checks and banking safeguards. These measures create a safer environment for gamblers. In contrast, illegal platforms often skip age verification and lack responsible gambling tools.
The association argues that current data mixes legal and illegal markets, hiding the true scale of problem gambling. They propose separating these statistics to give a clearer picture. AFJEL also wants app stores to ban promotions for unlicensed operators.
To tackle the issue, the group suggests faster blocking of illegal sites and more pressure on payment providers servicing them. They claim that illegal competitors undermine the efforts of licensed operators to protect users.
AFJEL's proposals aim to reduce risks linked to unregulated gambling. The focus remains on stricter enforcement and clearer reporting. Authorities have yet to respond to the association's latest recommendations.
