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Promotional strategies of gambling operators: what points of vigilance has the ANJ identified?

Published

5 years ago

January 26, 2021

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Meeting in plenary session on January 21, the members of the National Gaming Authority (ANJ) examined the 2021 promotional strategies of gambling operators, both in competition and monopoly, with particular regard to the objectives of prevention of excessive or pathological gambling and protection of minors. In view of the points of vigilance that were identified during this review, such as increased advertising pressure and the targeting of young audiences, the approval of these strategies is in most cases subject to conditions in their implementation.

Reminder of the legal framework

Since the reform of gambling regulation in 2020, all operators must submit their promotional strategies to the National Gaming Authority for approval each year. The latter examines it in the light of the objectives of the State’s policy on gambling and chance, and more specifically, the prevention of excessive or pathological gambling and the protection of minors.

This first exercise of approval of promotional strategies should allow the ANJ to progressively build its analytical grid to maintain a recreational game and for operators to become familiar with these new provisions. It is also on the basis of this analysis grid that the ANJ will be able, if necessary, to mobilize its power to withdraw from a particular advertising campaign that encourages gambling by minors or that contains excessive encouragement to gamble.

The ANJ’s analytical grid takes into account the balance to be struck between the legitimate use of advertising by operators to promote the legal offer and differentiate themselves in a highly regulated market, and its necessary channelling to counter the risk of problem gambling and protect minors. It will be regularly updated in the light of the observations or developments observed by the ANJ and the work carried out with the CSA and the ARPP, in the framework of the implementation of an observatory on gambling advertising.

It is in line with the reference framework for the prevention of excessive and pathological gambling and the protection of minors published in December 2020, which proposes an operational manual for operators in the implementation of their new obligations.

Points of vigilance common to operators for the 2021 strategies

The ANJ conducted a comparative analysis of the promotional strategies of the 14 licensed operators and the 2 operators under exclusive rights (FDJ and PMU). This analysis revealed points of vigilance, common to all these operators, which justify attaching conditions to approval decisions:

A substantial increase in advertising budgets of 26% compared to 2019*, with large-scale campaigns around major sporting events planned for this year (notably the Euro Football Championship and the Tokyo Olympic Games);
A reinforced targeting of young people with the use of digital marketing strategies on the social networks Snapchat and TikTok particularly followed by minors;
Active stimulation of the player with the effect of intensifying gambling practices and the recruitment of new players (bonuses, personalization of the offer).

The particular case of monopoly operators (FDJ and PMU)

An examination of the promotional strategies of these two operators under exclusive rights shows that the Authority has serious concerns about them, particularly in light of the case law of the CJEU and the Conseil d’Etat, which reminds us that the monopolies’ advertising efforts must remain measured and strictly limited to what is necessary to channel consumers towards controlled gambling networks. Moreover, in connection with this jurisprudence, the ANJ will be vigilant to ensure that any advertising or promotional campaign by these operators does not hide behind arguments of general interest to give a positive image of gambling or to justify it.

The ANJ will be very attentive to ensure that the points of vigilance it has identified are the object of particular attention on the part of operators with regard to their obligations in terms of prevention of excessive gambling and protection of minors.

*Since the 2020 budgets are not significant, 2019 will be the last fiscal year carried out under normal market conditions.

Gamification

GoldenRace launches V5 mobile solution with unified app and WebGL branding

Published

3 hours ago

July 1, 2026

Wladimir P.

goldenrace-launches-v5-mobile-solution-with-unified-app-and-webgl-branding

GoldenRace has launched its next-generation V5 mobile solution, the supplier announced on 1 July 2026 in Malta. The company positions the release as a mobile delivery upgrade for its virtual sports and betting content, aimed at maintaining performance under high player traffic.

According to GoldenRace, V5 consolidates its previous architecture into a single application and “drastically reduces load sizes by 80–90%.” The company also said the platform is built “completely from the ground up” with a unified UI/UX designed to remain responsive across different network conditions.

On product features, GoldenRace said V5 introduces “advanced WebGL capabilities” to support high-fidelity graphics and operator-controlled branding. It also adds native gamification tools across games, including custom Tournaments, Leaderboards and Free Bets.

The company also outlined three mobile upgrades intended to reduce friction in the betting flow: a Lobby with modular layouts and a one-click toggle between scheduled and instant views; a next-generation Betslip with richer visual components and “smart organisation”; and dynamic Leaderboards with configurable funding and custom point logic.

GoldenRace said operators can switch to V5 by “changing a single line of code,” and added that a demo is available for operators evaluating the new mobile solution.

The post GoldenRace launches V5 mobile solution with unified app and WebGL branding appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

certification

PopOK Gaming secures certification for Portugal iGaming market

Published

3 hours ago

July 1, 2026

Wladimir P.

popok-gaming-secures-certification-for-portugal-igaming-market

PopOK Gaming has obtained certification for the Portuguese iGaming market, adding Portugal to its list of regulated jurisdictions where it can offer compliant gaming content to licensed operators.

The company said the certification confirms it meets local regulatory and technical requirements and supports its strategy to expand in regulated markets.

PopOK Gaming did not disclose which regulator or test lab issued the certification, which products are covered, or the date the approval was granted.

Portugal continues to operate a ring-fenced regulated online gambling framework, with market access dependent on product approvals and operator licensing. For suppliers, local certification is typically a prerequisite to distribute content to licensed brands.

The post PopOK Gaming secures certification for Portugal iGaming market appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

API

St8 adds game round replays to its single API platform

Published

3 hours ago

July 1, 2026

Wladimir P.

st8-adds-game-round-replays-to-its-single-api-platform

Replay tool builds on St8’s graphical game round details and launches first with nine casino game studios.

St8 has launched game round replays, adding visual playback of completed casino game rounds to its existing single API platform. The company said the feature is designed to help operators verify outcomes faster and resolve player queries more efficiently.

The new capability builds on St8’s graphical game round details, which it said is already used by operators. With replays, support and operations teams can access a round’s visual playback to investigate gameplay disputes and respond to players with more transparency.

St8 also positioned the feature as a player engagement tool, with operators able to surface notable moments such as big wins and bonus rounds for promotional use.

Game round replays will initially support titles from AvatarUX, BGaming, Endorphina, Hacksaw, Peter & Sons, Pragmatic Play, Scatter Kings, Shady Lady, and Tequity Originals, with more providers to be added. St8 said the feature is delivered through its existing single API integration and requires no additional development work, and is intended to scale across multiple brands and regulated markets.

David Fall, Business Development Manager at St8, said: “Operators are under increasing pressure to deliver exceptional customer support while keeping operational costs under control. Our graphical game round details have become a trusted and widely used tool for operators, giving support teams quick access to the information they need to resolve player queries efficiently. Game round replays complement this capability by providing a visual playback of each round, helping teams resolve cases even faster and with complete confidence.

“Beyond operational efficiency, the feature also opens up new opportunities for engagement. Operators can showcase exciting gameplay moments, celebrate big wins and create richer player experiences – all through the same integration. Because game round replays are delivered through our existing single API, partners can access this functionality immediately while continuing to benefit from the simplicity and scalability that sit at the heart of the St8 platform.”

The post St8 adds game round replays to its single API platform appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.